This story is part of the USMC/AVCA Battles Won Award series. This new award recognizes volleyball players and coaches who are overcoming obstacles, both on and off the court.
Halle Julian, Eastern Nazarene Volleyball Player
Before the 2021 women’s volleyball season, Halle was diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. A rare condition, HLH is difficult to diagnose and treat which results in your immune system attacking your body resulting in organ shutdown.
When did you start noticing something was wrong?
“I was very sick over the summer of 2021 with what I thought was a typical virus. It started getting worse, so I went to a local hospital where they ran some tests and ended up sending me home. Getting more ill by the day, I ended up going to my regular doctor and they rushed me to Beth Israel in Boston for about two weeks. I don’t remember much because the virus—or whatever it was—had spread to my brain and I couldn’t think, talk, or operate my body properly. I could barely see, and I couldn’t even write my name.”
“They ended up diagnosing me with HLH, which is new and they are still studying me for better diagnosis and treatment. It basically means that your immune system attacks everything in your body resulting in rapid organ shut down. My body systems were rapidly failing, it spread to my brain, and my liver was swollen to three times the normal size. They ran more tests and put me on chemotherapy. When I was finally discharged from the hospital, I was taking 14 pills a day and, by Thanksgiving, my hair started falling out.”
What happened next?
“Even though the doctors didn’t want me to play, I told them I was dead set on playing volleyball again. I was pared with the strength and conditioning coach at Eastern Nazarene to help me get stronger. Every day, Monday through Friday, we would work together, but it took a long time. I am so thankful for her.”
“You lose muscle faster than you gain it, and I had lost the ability to do even simple things that would be easy for an athlete to do. I had blurred vision, muscle loss, and complete lack of hand/eye coordination.”
“The doctors refused to clear me because I was still on so many medications, and I still wasn’t 100 percent healthy. The ended up clearing me in late October 2021, and my coach wanted me to redshirt, but I decided that I wanted to get back on the court … although I wasn’t good, by any means.”
Talk about getting back on the court.
“My team ended up winning the championship and going to the 2021 NCAA Division III Tournament. I had the opportunity to start and play all three sets, which was very rewarding for me. Even though I wasn’t great and we lost, I got to be out there with all those girls who had been through the while process with me and that meant so much to me.”
“I ended up using my COVID year, and I started my master’s degree and played one more year. Throughout the fall, I got stronger and I was playing how I usually play. We ended up winning the championship in 2022, too, and I had the greatest game of my career at our last home game surrounded by friends and family. It was a good way to end my career and gave me closure.”
Who supported you most throughout these challenging times?
“My family was great about all of this, and their support has been incredible. My coaches at ENC, Derek Schmitt and Hannah Maynard, were there for me the whole time. Kylie Waldroop, our trainer, worked with me so hard to get me back in shape. My teammates also were amazing, especially my roommates, and when I started losing my hair, they helped me cut the rest of it off.”
What do you take away from all of this?
“I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t hate it at times, because I was mad, I was sad, and I was emotional all the time. I just wanted to be a normal student and finish my year strong. But, I learned a lot about patience, trusting the process, and understanding that sometimes you just need to be able to take things day by day; that’s become my mantra. You really have to learn how to roll with the punches of just life and I think this experience has helped me do that.”
“I love to share my story, and I have been able to help some girls that I coach who have gotten hurt and can’t play anymore. I understand what it’s like, with a different perspective now because I really know how it feels.”
Award Type
- USMC Battles Won Awards