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It’s been a tumultuous year for Demi Russell. The LaGrange High senior battled back from a broken ankle suffered at the tail end of her junior season on the soccer pitch, only to tear her MCL in the second game of her final season as a Granger.

Russell pondered whether fighting to return for the last couple of games of her senior season would even be worth it. That doubt quickly subsided as the senior gave it her all to get back with her sisters for one final run. 

“I was really upset when I first got diagnosed because they told me at best I would only be back for the last couple of games, and I’ve been playing with some of these girls since I was six years old,” Russell said. “I’m really, really glad that I made it back to play with my girls.”

The broken ankle suffered by Russell in the penultimate game of the season last year kept her away from a soccer ball until tryouts. The senior midfielder had to work her way back into game shape and did just that as she was poised to be at the heart of the Granger midfield.

“I was feeling about 90% heading into the season, and I was really nervous to get back out there at first. It still hurts sometimes,” Russell said. “About a week or so into practice, I began to find my groove and stopped being so worried about it.”

It did not go according to plan as Russell tore her MCL in the second game of the season, leaving question marks over her future with the sport. She eventually returned and has played in a handful of games heading into the state playoffs

“I was really nervous to get back out there because my knee was still bothering me doing simple stuff, it would get really stiff if I sat down in one place for too long, and moving it a certain way would cause it to hurt a little,” she said. “I was nervous to go back out there with full contact, but I couldn’t just sit there and watch the girls do what I love without me. I asked my physical therapist if I could play, and she told me she thought I was ready as long as I felt good enough to go.”

Russell has been eased back into the lineup, but her presence has been critical. The senior gives a sense of stability to the midfield and gives the team another commander on the field alongside fellow seniors Ava Arrington and Emma Maradik.

“We have a really good dynamic and really good chemistry, but it is hard to believe that we are the seniors in the team,” Russell said with a laugh. “I still don’t feel like I’m a senior.

“I was scared to be a leader this year because I’ve never been in that role before, but I’m so glad I made it back to help fulfill that role,” she added. 

The end is nigh for Russell’s time as a soccer player. With her days numbered, the senior is taking it one moment at a time.

“I’m so glad that I at least get one more game with my girls because I wasn’t always sure that this would be possible,” Russell said. “I hope it’s not the last one either, hopefully we can keep going for a while.”