This story is part of the 2024 AVCA-USMC Battles Won Award series. This award recognizes volleyball players and coaches who are overcoming obstacles, both on and off the court.
Jodi Matthies, Volleyball Coach, Kaukauna High School
Darrin Matthies shares Jodi’s story:
“Jodi is my beautiful wife, the mother of three kids, and the girls varsity volleyball coach at Kaukauna High School in northeastern Wisconsin. In April of 2023, Jodi found a lump through self-examination. She saw a doctor, had tests, and then a biopsy. The results: Stage 1 breast cancer.
“Good news, it was caught early by her, and it was a “good” type of cancer. However, the mass was determined to be too large for a simple lumpectomy and a mastectomy was to be scheduled. She had to wait a month for that procedure! May 31 was booked and a few days before, we told our kids about what was going on with mom.
“Our oldest was scheduled to play at AAU Nationals in Orlando June 15. It is to be a family vacation and the first time the kids would fly as well as a volleyball event. Jodi would not be allowed to travel unless cleared of any post-surgical issues, but she was not to be denied this family adventure. She was thankfully, cleared and we went.
“The first week of July she started chemotherapy. Her regimen, we were told, would be the reverse of most. There are four aggressive sessions (her nurses referred to it as the red devil) that most do at the end; she had these as her first four sessions.
“We were blessed in that; the nausea and great sickness was not an experience she faced. Tiredness, fatigue, change in taste and mouth sores were the things she experienced. Everyone’s body reacts differently to chemo. Having seen chemo just wipe my mother out when she had chemo many years ago, I was grateful for Jodi’s experience.
“We wanted things to be as normal as possible for ourselves and especially the kids. Through June, July, and early August we kept doing training sessions, summer camp and keeping ourselves and our kids distracted with sports (volleyball, softball, and baseball). One night right after chemo started, we were doing training and at the end of the night we called the kids in that were there. Before we released them from training, we then told them what was going on so they did not hear it on the street and warned them that in a week or so Jodi may look a little different.
“Two weeks into chemo I cut her hair. I still remember the oldest, Brenna, wanted to watch. She sat on our bed and cried through it. Jodi was strong and composed through most of this whole thing. Dude, I married one tough chick. She’s truly the foundation of our family.
“For our 2023 season tryouts, she was there. For practices and weekend tournaments, she was there. Through regionals and sectional semifinals where we were knock out, she was there. After finding out in September that her father had a type of lymphoma and would soon start chemotherapy himself, she was there.
“In October parents of our players arranged a fundraiser with raffles and baskets to put towards medical expenses. We are forever grateful to the communities of Kaukauna and yes, even our biggest adversary, Kimberly high school for the fundraiser, the well wishes, the gifts, the meal trains etc. Small communities—they’re the best.
“Thirteen days after our final match she rang the survivor bell after her final chemo treatment. By Christmas radiation treatments were done, early February she had one last surgery to close this chapter.”
Check out stories of other 2024 Battles Won Award honorees
