Crystal Graff receives medical hardship
March 26, 2014 | Volleyball
March 26, 2014
MADISON, Wis. -- Crystal Graff, a junior on the University of Wisconsin volleyball team, has been given a medical hardship and will no longer compete for the Badgers, head coach Kelly Sheffield announced today. The Madison La Follette High School graduate has struggled with injuries during her career in the Cardinal and White, including going through several surgeries.
“I’ve had the time of my life being a part of this program and I couldn’t thank everyone enough for where it’s gotten me so far,” Graff said. “I physically found that I couldn’t compete at this level anymore with all of the injuries I’ve sustained and decided it was time to move on and focus on my future plans.
“It was a very hard decision to make and it will be difficult not being around this family that I’ve grown to love, but I can’t wait to see the great things this team will accomplish in the future.”
Graff, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter, joined the Badgers in the spring of 2011, graduating from high school early. She played in 20 matches her freshman season, missing the second half of the year with a leg injury. Graff averaged 2.63 kills and 2.22 digs per set as a rookie.
The leg injury kept Graff out of the 2012 spring season and set her back as a sophomore. She played in 25 matches her second season, averaging 1.93 kills and 1.43 digs per set.
As a junior, Graff played in just five matches due to an ankle injury. She suited up for NC State Invitational, recording a season-high three kills vs. VCU (Sept. 21), a season-high four digs at NC State (Sept. 20) and a career-high three services aces against the Wolfpack.
“Crystal is the epitome of what a student-athlete should be,” Sheffield said. “She’s been a great teammate, high achiever in the classroom and absolutely great in the community -- her hometown community.
“With every setback Crystal continued to be a positive and supportive teammate while rehabbing and battling back. She just got to the point where her body said enough. I hope Badger fans appreciate all that she gave of herself, because she left everything she had out on the court.”
A two-time team Athletic Board Scholar for having the highest grade-point average on the team, Graff was also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
Graff came out of La Follette High School as one of the top-ranked players in the state of Wisconsin. She was the 2009 and 2010 Gatorade State Player of the Year and was ranked 21st by PrepVolleyball.com on its list of Senior Aces.
Graff will remain in school at Wisconsin, finishing her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with future plans to attend medical school.
