In the Life of a Fish: Chrissy Gulden

Chrissy Gulden

Chrissy Gulden Looks to Re-Join her Teammates on the Court this Fall.

Chrissy Gulden is a senior member of the Palm Beach Atlantic University volleyball team. After red-shirting during the 2007 season due to a back injury, Gulden is looking to return to the regular rotation and help lead the Fish to great heights during the 2008 campaign. Below is her first blog of the 2008 season as she and a few of her teammates take time out of their schedule to share with us what it’s like to be a Fish.

Preseason, it’s the time of the year that every athlete dreads…

The knowledge that sore and aching muscles are soon to be an overwhelming fact of life. Regardless of how hard you have trained or how diligent an athlete you have been over the summer month’s preseason never fails to get the best of you. However, double days were not the biggest concern on my mind.  

After my sophomore season I suffered from horrible lower back pain caused from two herniated discs. The pain and treatments I underwent caused me to sit out my junior season and possibly end my volleyball career. It was an extremely tough time in my life, I struggled with God not agreeing with His plan for my life; but He was gracious with me allowing me time to realize the blessings in disguise of my injury.

However this summer playing volleyball became a possibility again and I was faced with a big decision; do I try playing again and risk getting hurt again or accept the conclusion of my time as a competitive volleyball player. Through prayer and seeking advice of people I trust the most I decided to give volleyball one more try. Therefore the butterflies in my stomach on the first day of preseason were due to the anticipation of finally being able to play the game I love the most after such a long time away.
 
AND IT WAS AWESOME! Honestly it was one of the best experiences of my life, the joy of playing and being back on the court with the girls is almost indescribable. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be back playing, and each day truly is a gift that I never thought I would have before.
 
This season marked the beginning of the end for me and my fellow two seniors, but we are so excited for this last season, desiring to leave our mark on the legacy of PBA volleyball and positively impact the lives of our seven new freshman and four other returning players. We’re ready to go, ready to play, and ready to glorify God…. GO FISH!

Chrissy