Cheyenne Willis is getting ready for her freshman softball season at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Her UTC preparation was not supposed to start this early in 2011, however. And rehabilitation after surgery was not supposed to be part of the process.
But Coffee County High School's standout shortstop dislocated her left shoulder in the first weekend of her senior season. She got hurt reaching back to touch home plate while sliding during a Commando Classic game at Hendersonville.
Now it's the last weekend of the regular season, when Willis figured to be playing in Coffee County's Spring Classic in Manchester at the high school field and Dave King Park. She's developed some cheerleading skills while no longer able to contribute on the field.
"She's a great team motivator, just being in our dugout," Coffee County coach Terry Floyd said.
Apparently so. The team is 30-2 and at 8-0 has clinched the District 6-AAA regular-season title.
"Taylor Gullett has stepped up on shortstop," said Willis, who helped the Lady Raiders go 81-23 the previous three years. "Ginny Clayborne moved to second base and has been hot. They've both been hitting beastly."
This is Willis's third similar injury to the same shoulder. It first popped out of joint when she went to make a tag as the Lady Raiders beat Ooltewah in a Region 3 semifinal last May.
"I got her out," Willis said, grasping for something positive out of the situation.
She injured the shoulder again later in 2010 playing for the Chattanooga-based Frost Falcons travel team.
Coffee County pitcher Casey Vincent, who has signed with UT-Martin, helped recruit Willis to the Falcons organization. Vincent became a member of coach Chris Edwards' team when she was between ninth and 10th grade and soon told her friend and classmate they were in need of a shortstop. Willis then came aboard, and soon afterward UTC's coaches were taking notice.
"She actually came to one of our camps. That's where I first noticed her," Lady Mocs head coach Frank Reed said. "I remember she had some remarkable times, as far as speed."
Batting from the left side, she hit .356 for her prep career and stole 86 bases in 94 attempts. With six homers, 13 triples and 23 doubles to her credit as a Lady Raider, Willis is what Reed calls a "triple threat" - one with comparable skills bunting, slap-hitting and hitting for power.
"I don't see her injury being an issue," Reed said. "It's something players go through. This is the first time she's had surgery. I don't think it's going to be a problem. Even if it is, from our perspective there's things we can do."
If nothing else, Reed can count on Willis adding to the personality of his team. The night before Coffee County competed in Ooltewah's Lady Owls Choo Choo Classic on April 16, she reportedly informed her friends on Facebook it was "time to bling the sling." She showed up at The Summit of Softball complex the next day with her arm carriage covered in fashion jewels and gems.
Floyd said Willis took the loss of her senior season hard at first but seemed to begin accepting it around the middle of April after her operation. The coach added that sitting in periodically with announcer Lucky Knott on radio broadcasts of Coffee County's games has helped keep her upbeat.
Willis said it's fun being on the air during games, but it would seem like only an adequate substitute under the circumstance. However, there is one thing that could make up for it.
"Us going to state and winning it," Willis said. "I'd be perfectly fine with that."