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Draper • That Waterford middle hitter Kelly Brunken is playing volleyball this season is a bit of a medical miracle.

Diagnosed with a mild case of scoliosis in the seventh grade, Brunken carried on like any normal teenager until a practice in fall 2010. Suddenly her back felt really fatigued. A visit to Primary Children's Hospital confirmed Brunken's condition had worsened, and surgery would be necessary.

"The doctors told me if I didn't have surgery I would probably be in a wheelchair and crippled by the age of 30," said Brunken. "One of my first thoughts was 'I'm not going to miss the season.' "

Brunken made it through her 2010 volleyball campaign and had surgery on Dec. 20. After literally hammering her spine back into position, doctors inserted two titanium rods and multiple screws to hold everything in place.

After a month of staying home, Brunken returned to school with a little help from her support system.

"I was so weak I couldn't even lift my backpack at first," she said. "My friends were really protective and I have the greatest parents in the world."

After a six-month recovery period, doctors proclaimed Brunken fully healthy and ready to resume physical activity. The Waterford junior spent the summer swimming a lot and finally returned to the volleyball court at camp in early August.

"I was pretty nervous at camp and wondered if it would start hurting if I dove or got bumped ,but it felt great," she said.

While the spinal fusion limits Brunken's ability to do sit-ups, the procedure stretched her spine enough that she came back 1.5 inches taller.

"We have never had a lot of height here at Waterford," said Ravens coach Steve Manning. "At 5-feet-10 with really long arms, she gets her fingers on a lot of balls and has really helped us in the middle."

Brunken teams with best friend and fellow middle hitter Nicole Stangl to clog the middle while outsider hitter Chandler Rosenberg and setter Sierra Kane direct traffic.

"Kelly has worked really hard to get here, but she's always had good instincts," said Manning. "She just brings a spark to our team and will do whatever is asked of her." —

Waterford volleyball at a glance

Waterford middle-hitter Kelly Brunken had spinal surgery in December after doctors discovered her once-mild scoliosis had worsened. Two titanium plates and multiple screws later, the junior has been an integral part of an 8-4 start for the Ravens.

Brunken's spinal surgery corrected the curvature of her spine and gave her about 1.5 inches of additional height. Doctors believe she should have no further problems.

Waterford coach Steve Manning said 2011 has been a bit of a surprise, as a young Ravens squad led by outside hitter Chandler Rosenberg and setter Sierra Kane entered the week undefeated in Region 14.