Cori Vaquera is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Basha High School for AZPreps365.com.

The Basha High School varsity volleyball team has had a challenging schedule this season.

However, aside from tough games, the team has been down a key player.

With senior middle blocker, Jayden Eaker, recovering from an injury and out for the remainder of the season, she has reflected on this obstacle she'd faced.

Eaker is a four-year varsity volleyball athlete who has been a prime player from the very beginning of her career. Her height and skill level has assisted the team in winning a 2019 state championship.

A University of Memphis, Eaker tore the ligaments in her ankle during her junior season during a match. She had a full recovery and was back on the court by January of 2022.

Not even two months into playing after the ankle mishap, Eaker tore her ACL completely during her club season.

She's undergone two surgeries in less than a year.

The physical pain was something Eaker was able to overcome, but the mental struggle of the complications that come with the injury had a bigger impact.

“My ankle injury was a lot for me to take in, and then having to go through another not too long after, that was definitely a test of my mental strength,” Eaker said.

Basha varsity assistant coach, Juliette Tygret, has only been with Eaker since August of this year and has seen the star middle blocker work relentlessly on recovering from this setback.

“She has been taking her physical therapy very seriously," Tygret said. "I can tell she wants to be back on the court without any complications."

Eaker’s main source of support has been her parents and grandparents. With the physical and mental struggles she has been faced with over the past year, her support system has been the root of her motivation.

And even the relief of her pressure.

“My parents told me, ‘If you don’t want to play volleyball in college, we will support you, and if you do want to play, we will still support you,’” Eaker explained.

It is clear Eaker’s ability to look to the future after her recovery is a perspective that has been taught through lesson and experience.

Basha varsity head coach Bryan Meyer has been coaching the middle blocker for three years. From his standpoint, Meyer has no doubt Eaker has learned more about the game for her benefit.

“I have seen Jayden grow exponentially," Meyer said. "I think her being on the sideline this season has given her the ability to see the court from a coach’s point of view. Which will in the long run will benefit her as a player. It is rough since this is her senior season and her being a huge presence on the court, however the player that had stepped up as middles have done their part with excellence.”

With Eaker continuing her physical therapy and taking time off from the sport she loves, there is no doubt Memphis is getting a star player who not only carries the physical strength, but also the mental strength that comes with being an athlete.