Six months ago, Michigan City’s Hannah Noveroske didn’t realize a dramatic change was about to happen that would alter the start of her senior year.

That’s when the all-state volleyball and basketball star slipped and fell during a dribbling drill in a preseason practice for her AAU basketball team.

“I did something funny, and my (right) knee gave out on me,” Noveroske said. “There wasn’t really any pain, though. I got up, walked off the court and was fine. I didn’t hear a pop or anything.

“I could still walk on it, so it was really weird.”

An MRI later revealed Noveroske, a middle hitter in volleyball, had suffered a torn ACL.

While successful surgery was performed by Brian Ratigan, head of orthopedic sports medicine for Notre Dame in football and baseball, Noveroske must wait until Sept. 7 to learn when she will be released by her doctor to play this season.

In the meantime, she has taken advantage of physical therapy to help expedite her recovery.

“The therapy cuts off 80 percent of the blood flow to your leg,” she said of blood-flow restriction treatments. “The tourniquet enables you to do your exercises. I think that’s what has helped me to get my strength back faster.”

Additionally, Noveroske has worked on her cardiovascular conditioning by biking and jumping rope while continuing her arm-swing mechanics daily so she’ll be ready when cleared.

“I work hard every day to make sure I’m ready so I’m the best I possibly can be when I go to the doctor,” Noveroske said.

The injury occurred the day after Noveroske had verbally accepted a basketball scholarship to Xavier, which has completely supported her.

The scholarship remains firm, and Noveroske believes everything happens for a reason. She said positives have resulted from the injury.

The biggest one might be how it revealed Noveroske’s coaching ability.

Thanks to volleyball coach TR Harlan, Noveroske has enjoyed helping out, even though she plans a career in the medical field.

“She’s like an assistant coach for us,” Harlan said of Noveroske. “She works with the hitters on their footwork, arm-swing techniques, blocking and transition. She talks to them about blocking and what to look for — the things you need to know as middle hitters. She’s trying to teach them through everything she’s learned.

“She’s had as big an effect on this team off the court as she normally has on the court. She’s a huge difference-maker, but we’re a way better team just because she’s in the gym working with us.”

Harlan is concerned about Noveroske’s health. He said if she doesn’t look right, she won’t play.

“We’re trying to get her for 10 to 15 games, maybe 30 days, but she has 60 years of her life after that to figure out how she’s going to impact the world,” he said. “Great things are ahead of her, so I’m not going to jeopardize her future if I notice something’s wrong. I’m honored she wants to come back and be a part of our program because she doesn’t have to do that.

“You want to have great kids in your program, and she has to be one of the greatest kids I’ve ever had the privilege of coaching. But that’s not because she’s a great volleyball player, it’s because she’s a great person and leader and someone all the kids can look up to.”

John O’Malley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.