Ten days and 12 practices into her college career, Hawaii freshman middle Natasha Burns has had her season put on hold. The 6-foot-5 Canadian fractured a bone in the middle of her right hand during Tuesday’s practice and is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks.
Burns, one of four middles on the Rainbow Wahine roster, saw a specialist Wednesday afternoon. She returned to the Stan Sheriff Center in time for the team photo session, wearing a black-and-green soft brace on her hand and with a positive attitude.
“It does hurt when I move it,” she said, “but I’m looking at this as an opportunity to do more strength training. I still can do workouts without using my hand. I already did two this morning.”
Burns was in the weight room for two sessions prior to seeing a specialist. She said she was told that it would be 6-8 weeks to make a full recovery but that her injury would be re-evaluated in three weeks.
“This is my first injury and hopefully the last one I have in college,” she said.
It does open the door for the true freshman to be redshirted, something that Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said could be a possibility.
“It’s unfortunate and obviously a setback for her,” Shoji said Wednesday. “She was looking good in practice and had made progress.
“This type of injury happens quite frequently in volleyball. It was kind of a freak thing and very unfortunate for her.”
It leaves the Rainbow Wahine with senior Olivia Magill, sophomore Emily Maglio and junior Annie Mitchem at the middle position. Mitchem, who transferred from Irvine Valley (Calif.) College, was only allowed to practice Tuesday after waiting for clearance by the NCAA and UH.
“It’s a good thing we have Annie now, it means we still have depth,” Shoji said. “It means a little more reps for all of them (the middles).
The No. 18-ranked Wahine open at home Aug. 28 against Idaho in the Chevron Invitational. Oregon State and Wichita State meet in the tournament opener at 4:30 p.m.
