Lee volleyball standout Scottie Cook grew up playing all types of sports in the Roanoke Metropolitan Area. Her father Jason is a Church of God pastor and the family moved to Daleville, Virginia where Scottie played on state championship basketball and volleyball teams at Lord Botetourt High School.
"I got serious about volleyball in high school. I played basketball my whole life, but I did not start playing volleyball until the eighth grade," she recalled. "My junior and senior years we won the volleyball state championship back-to-back. Also, my junior year we won the basketball state championship. During that time, I was playing travel volleyball and enjoyed it more than basketball. I am the first person in my family to play volleyball."
"My dad played baseball, basketball, and football throughout high school and college," she continued. "My mom (Suzy) ran track in high school and is a great sports fan. My older brother Noah, who graduated from college last year, played college baseball at Virginia Military Institute. My younger brother Swisher, who is in sixth grade, enjoys playing basketball and baseball. I have grown up around sports and it is always in conversation with my family," she proudly pointed out that most of the family members are in Cleveland for all home matches.
When it came time for Scottie to select a new home and have an opportunity to play college volleyball, she said there were many factors that made Lee her choice. "My uncle went to Lee. My dad is a pastor, so I have grown up in the Church of God my whole life. When I was visiting schools, Lee welcomed me with open arms, and it felt like God was opening a door for me to go here. I listened and here I am four years later," she explained.
Scottie is listed at 5-foot-9 and a middle blocker on the 2022 Lee roster, but she plays above the net like many of her 6-foot opponents. Her leaping ability is fun to watch. "I would say the leaping ability goes back to good genetics and God's blessing. But in all honesty, I think years of being active and training my body to be explosive with dynamic movements has really helped me in college," was her direct response when asked about her gift of leaping.
"I absolutely love playing on a team and being with my teammates. I think the people you surround yourself with can change how you play. I am thankful God has blessed me with amazing, hardworking, genuine girls that I get to play beside. They push me each day and that helps make it all worthwhile," she declared.
The date of Oct. 15, 2019 is locked forever in Scottie's memory bank. She had worked her way into playing time as a freshman when she went up high to block a shot in a match against Shorter University. "When I came down, I heard my leg crack. I knew it was bad. I had played all these years of basketball and volleyball and never suffered a serious injury. The athletic trainer quickly confirmed I had a broken leg," she noted
Scottie said a volleyball player breaking a combined tibia and fibula is an unheard-of injury. "It honestly could have ended my career, but I did not want it to end. I don't think I ever really thought for a moment I was never going to play volleyball again. I had it in me that I was going to come back and play," she stressed in that same determined tone.
Luck turned in Scottie's favor the same evening. Dr. Jason Spangler was on call. He is a Lee graduate and a lead surgeon for Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopedics. He quickly scheduled surgery that same night. There was nothing simple about the surgery. A rod was placed in Scottie's tibia and ran all the way down to her shin where it was connected with screws to stabilize the bone.
"I went back home to Virginia for two weeks after the surgery and then returned to school. I was told it would be over a year before I could start playing again. I was back in ten months," she proudly proclaimed. "I had to learn how to walk, run, and jump all over again. It was a very long process of physical therapy. I have so much appreciation of physical therapists and that time sparked a passion in me to pursue a career in that field.
"God is with us in each step of life, and I think if you have the drive to improve each day God is going to guide your steps," she added. "You also must be willing to put in the hard work and endure through hard times. Those times will give you the endurance to overcome. I think God has had his hand over me during the injury and especially in the recovery process because I have had no trouble with my leg. Yes, there had been hard days, but those days have made me the person I am today. It was all by the grace of God."
During the recovery time Scottie was surrounded by plenty of support. "My biggest fans have to be my family. They came down from Virginia for the surgery and have been with me every step of the way," she related. "I would not be here today without them. Also, the Hudson's (former Lee volleyball coaches Andrea and Kevin) were so encouraging and helpful during that time. I have so many people in my life that push and encourage me each day."
In the early stages of her final season as a member of the Lee volleyball team, Scottie has a main goal of reaching the GSC playoffs. "Another goal would be to become the best version of myself that I can be," she declared. "I also want to push the girls around me to become the best they can be. We have so much talent and I cannot wait to see it unfold over the year. This is my last year playing college volleyball, so I am soaking it all in." She will graduate in December with a degree in Health Science and wait until next fall to begin two years of study and training towards becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA).
"Scottie truly brings so much to this team each week," said Lee second-year head coach Callie Tabisz. "She is not the loudest captain or player on our roster, but she is vocal when needed and always leads by example. Her lead-by-action style leadership has really pushed our upper and underclassmen to hold a better standard in the gym and to always fight to be the best they can be. She has done a great job with getting the underclassmen ready to go come game-time. She always is supportive and encouraging to the team, regardless of the score or the outcome. She is someone who makes this team better every day!"
The coach added, "Scottie has been an absolute joy to work with over the last two seasons. She is constantly a great listener, leads by example, and a true teammate that every coach would want on their team. She never gives up and always pushes through adversity. I am excited to see what she can accomplish this season and for years to come."
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