Hedrick's quick return inspires Neuqua

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That Grant Hedrick had four kills in No. 5 Neuqua Valley’s 25-12, 25-15 pasting of Plainfield South Thursday in Naperville is not surprising. That Hedrick is able to play at all is miraculous.

Hedrick underwent two surgeries in December and March to remove a pool ball-sized tumor from his brain. The tumor was discovered after Hedrick suffered a seizure in November while working at a local pizzeria.

“I didn’t even realized what had happened,” the 6-foot-5 senior outside hitter said. “I passed out. The doctors said I probably had it since I was really young. It just kept growing over a long period of time.”

Doctors removed part of Hedrick’s skull to get at the tumor and it has not completely healed. He was expected to be medically cleared by June 24, well after the state volleyball tournament.

“I didn’t want to wait,” he said.

So Hedrick is wearing a protective headgear that from a distance resembles a paisley 1970s-era bandana. The headgear is padded to protect the area where doctors removed the skull, although Hedrick said the chances of getting hit there are remote.

Meanwhile, Hedrick is happy to be back with his teammates. He entered Thursday’s match against Plainfield South with his team leading 5-2 in Game 2 and promptly crushed the first of his four kills off an overpass.

He added two more kills as Neuqua Valley (29-2, 12-0 in the Upstate Eight) extended to an 11-8 lead, then re-entered later in the game to pick up his fourth kill and give the Wildcats a 22-13 lead.

Hedrick’s return adds another weapon to an already potent Neuqua lineup.

“He would have been starting for us from Day 1,” Neuqua Valley coach Erich Mendoza said. “He was a starter last year, sharing the right-side hitter position with Collin Adler. He was going to be our right-side this year.

“His return is definitely a boost for us,” Mendoza added. “It really changes a whole lot of things for what we want to do. He’s 6-foot-5, he’s left-handed and he can block the other team’s outside hitters.”

Hedrick, who admits his limited pre-return conditioning consisted of riding a stationary bicycle, will have two more matches to get ready for the state tournament. He has only been hitting two weeks, although you’d never know it by his performance Thursday.

“I guess four years of volleyball, even if you miss six months, you don’t forget,” he said.

And Hedrick is ready, and anxious, to go.

“It feels good to be back,” he said.