Anna DeBeer Once Revealed How a Serious Gymnastics Injury Led Her Toward an Unforgettable Volleyball Career

What happens when an athlete’s dreams are suddenly dashed by injury? For Anna DeBeer, the ‘hometown hero’ on the Louisville Cardinals volleyball team, this question loomed large as she faced the heartbreaking reality of missing her final NCAA Championship in 2024. At the most critical moment, an unexpected ankle injury sidelined her. She was supposed to be with her team in the finals against Penn State, but she could not.

In her heartfelt reflections following the championship, DeBeer expressed her disappointment at not being able to compete alongside her teammates in the finals against Penn State. It was a bittersweet ending to a storied collegiate career. This wasn’t Anna DeBeer’s first brush with adversity. This wasn’t her very first injury. Her journey to becoming a standout volleyball player for the Louisville Cardinals actually began with a serious gymnastics injury that reshaped her athletic future.

For Anna DeBeer, her journey to becoming an amazing volleyball player for the Louisville Cardinals was anything but straightforward. Before she found her passion for volleyball, DeBeer was actually into gymnastics. DeBeer said, “I got really serious with gymnastics, and that was like my main thing. I loved at the time until I had a pretty serious injury that really was like, do I want to continue playing gymnastics?” she recalled in a podcast interview with Floyd Street Media. Can you imagine the emotional and physical pain the young Anna would have to endure? Recovery from a serious injury is difficult even for professional athletes. Thus, the pain and recovery would have been really tough for Anna, given that she was just in her fifth grade.

After the injury, DeBeer decided to explore other sports. Anna Debeer recalled how her father always used to encourage her. Noting her height and also probably her athletic potential, he suggested DeBeer consider volleyball. “My dad was literally like, ‘You’re pretty tall. You should try volleyball.’ So, that’s how I got into volleyball. Then it got really serious when I started playing for KIVA when I was 12,” DeBeer shares. “It was right after that injury. I just got back into it, and then I just realized. I wanted to play at the next level, and the rest is where we’re at right now.” It proved to be a turning point for Anna. This decision of hers ignited the beginning of what ended up turning into a remarkable career in the sport. Thus, proving how an initial setback could be transformed into a new and exciting opportunity.

Entering a new sport comes with its own set of challenges. However, DeBeer’s determination shone through her efforts as she quickly emerged as a standout player. In her freshman year (2020), she earned numerous accolades, including ACC Freshman of the Year, ACC All-Freshman, and First Team All-ACC. Even before she joined the Louisville Cardinals, she had many accolades attached to her name. She was named an AAU Junior National Volleyball Championship All-American in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Thus, she was establishing herself as a formidable competitor. But it was not at all a smooth ride for our ‘Outside Hitter’. Rather, the road was full of bumpy injuries.

Louisville Star Anna DeBeer Sidelined by Injuries

Injuries have sadly been a constant challenge for Anna DeBeer in her athletic journey. Even during her high school year in 2019, she injured herself before the Assumption state championship match. But being the star she is, Anna DeBeer delivered a standout performance in the match despite the injury. DeBeer’s coach, Ron Kordes, was initially unsure if she would be able to play, but DeBeer defied the odds. Her diverse attack led to an impressive 13 kills, and her team won the match.

Fast forward to her college career with the Louisville Cardinals. DeBeer faced another injury that caused her to miss almost two months of the 2022 season. Anna recalled the tragic incident in the same interview with Floyd Street Media. She said, “It was actually one of our last pre-season games against Stanford at Standford, and I had a really like fluke injury. Like it’s so unfortunate how it happened.” However, she made a strong comeback in the NCAA 2022 Tournament, where she was named the All-Louisville Regional MVP and was named to the Final Four All-Tournament Team. DeBeer’s stats for the season were impressive, as she played 78 sets with 176 kills, 29 aces, 168 digs, and 32 blocks, scoring 223.0 points for the Cardinals.

Unfortunately, another injury, and if we may say at the worst possible timing, came to her in the semifinals of the NCAA Division I Championship 2024. While playing against the Pitt., DeBeer injured her right ankle. In the fourth set of the match, DeBeer collided and fell to the ground with what initially seemed to be a twisted ankle. Later, she was taken off the court by two staffers. As a result, she couldn’t play her last collegiate game against the Nittany Lions in the finals, which her team eventually lost.

With her collegiate volleyball career behind her, the question still remains, “How will a gymnast-turned-volleyball star find herself battling, and what does the future hold for her?” DeBeer has proven her adaptability and resilience time and again. She does know how to make a comeback, and thus, we are rooting for her!