News Story - Idaho State Journal

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POCATELLO -- For a few hours on Friday afternoon, nothing could brighten Brenda Cooper's mood.

Not after doctors at Portneuf Medical Center had delivered the news to Idaho State's senior right-side hitter that she had torn her left ACL and that her Bengals career was over.

But then Cooper arrived at Reed Gym for Idaho State's match against Sacramento State.

"It was hard to stand there and watch, but then again, they were playing so awesome, and I was so proud of them," Cooper said. "I was like, this is awesome. If they can play like this while I'm standing here, more power to them."

Cooper's presence lifted the Bengals spirits just as much as they boosted hers. The Bengals topped the Hornets in a tense five-setter to keep alive their Big Sky tournament hopes, a task they insist has now taken on a special significance with Cooper's injury.

With four matches remaining in the regular season, Idaho State begins a crucial road trip this weekend two games out of the final conference tournament spot. The Bengals would like nothing better than to qualify for the tournament -- an accomplishment with which Cooper badly wanted to finish her career.

"It's hard being a senior, and that happens to you," senior setter Blakely Peppinger said of Cooper's injury. "We'd come together and we'd say, 'Do this for Brenda,' or think of it in that way. She can't be out there, so let's do it for her."

Cooper injured her knee while warming up before Thursday's match against Montana-Western. She landed awkwardly after spiking a Peppinger pass and crumpled on the court, a sight that left some teammates in tears.

Without Cooper, who ranks third on the team in kills, Idaho State reverted from its 6-2 formation back to the 5-1 with which it started the season. All that tumult didn't prevent the Bengals from edging the Hornets, a victory that leaves them two games behind fifth-placed Weber State and Sacramento State. The top six teams make the conference tournament.

"Brenda's been such a big part of our team," Idaho State coach Chad Teichert said. "Just to be able to pull out a win was great, and doing it without Brenda, you've got to give them credit for that."

The Bengals also have rallied around Cooper off the court. She said well-wishers send her too many text messages on a daily basis to count, and defensive specialist Jenna Proost even loaned Cooper her Toyota Corolla so Cooper wouldn't have to drive her manual-transmission Mitsubishi Lancer.

There's not much more anyone else -- even Cooper herself -- can do about her knee until she undergoes surgery in a few weeks.

Doctors told her six to nine months of rehabilitation should get her knee back to its original condition, and she should have no problems returning to the life of cycling, hiking and trail running she is used to having grown up in Anchorage, Alaska.

"I had a sinking-in period, and it was a little rough," Cooper said. "I've got to get through it. Bad things happen to everyone, and you've just got to shine through."

As encouraging as she finds her little improvements every day in her rehab sessions, they could never compare to the thrill she would get accompanying the Bengals to Portland, Ore., for the Big Sky tournament.

"That would be amazing," Cooper said. "It would be a dream to make it to the conference tournament. It would just be that little cherry on top of this season."

By Kelvin Ang

This document was originally published online on Thursday, November 13, 2008

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