Court support

It’s the last point of the last match. Neddicka Waterman knows if she gets this point in, the High School for Creative and Performing Arts girls volleyball team will celebrate its 3-0 opening-day win over Kensington. Waterman gets the point and later described it as "my best hit of the season."

So, how did she celebrate?

By crying in pain on the court. After leaping to get the game-winning kill, the senior hit the ground. Suddenly her 15 kills and nine aces become secondary to a torn meniscus in her left knee.

"I am always on the floor so my teammates thought I was kidding," said Waterman, a two-time First Team All-Public selection. "When they saw I was crying, they said ‘wait, she is serious.’"

When the game ended at about 4:30 p.m., CAPA volleyball coach Rick Shields took his star to Hahnemann Hospital. She didn’t return to her Center City home until 11 p.m. Despite being sidelined for at least two weeks, Waterman remains confident this is the year the CAPA Pegasus will bring home its first Public League girls volleyball title.

"My mind, body and spirit are set on us getting a championship," she said. "I know our girls aren’t going to let anything touch the ground. I can’t wait to come back."

The Pegasus fared well in their first two games without Waterman, defeating Mastbaum 3-1 Sept. 15 and, in yesterday’s game, defeating Washington 3-0.

Since she couldn’t play, the senior is making sure her presence is felt by yelling at the top of her lungs.

"I told Mr. Shields to sit down because this is my team and you’re not coaching," she said with a chuckle. "I yell, that’s all I do. I try to give them a boost in confidence."

HER TEAMMATES WOULD prefer having Waterman on the court, where she also tends to be loud, singing the song "Barbie Girl" by Aqua. The athlete is taking Motrin and keeping her left leg elevated to help the bruising. The downside is wearing a full knee brace around the clock.

"It’s a big pain in the rear end," she said. "I feel like I am dragging something behind me."

Instead of practicing during CAPA’s open gym, Waterman watches from the bleachers. When the bell rings, she hobbles to the school elevator, the one perk that comes with being injured.

"It would only be better if I could move a little faster," Waterman said.

She’ll be more than happy to turn in her elevator key for a return to the court. The only upside to an early-season injury is the possibility of a comeback in the final stretch, as well as the playoffs.

Over the last two years, Waterman and her teammates have enjoyed their share of success. The Pegasus finished last season with an 8-2 record and advanced to the Public League semifinals, losing 3-0 to Masterman. In CAPA’s opening round win over Franklin Learning Center, Waterman led the way with 20 kills. In 2003, CAPA advanced to the championship game, but lost 3-1 to Masterman.

Waterman is confident this is CAPA’s time.

"I am not too worried about Masterman because they lost a lot players," she said. "This year Central is in the way."

No matter how the season unfolds, Waterman sees a bright future with plans that include majoring in pre-med and becoming an OB/GYN. She is considering Duke, North Carolina, South Carolina State and Goucher College in Maryland. Waterman knows Goucher is where she’ll have the best chance to play college volleyball.

"I am little short to play Division I," the 5-foot-3 athlete said.

She has sent a schedule to Goucher coach Jeremy Price, so he can catch a game. If he makes it to town for the final match-up, he could be in for a treat.

"We are going to the championship and we are going to win," she said. "We are going to bring our school back a trophy this year."