After battling with a medical nightmare that would sideline most athletes Chandler (Ariz.) Basha junior center Kendall LaCivita is right where she left off before her world came crumbling down as a sophomore.

LaCivita, a talented 6-foot-2 volleyball player who started on her varsity team at Perry as a freshman, began experiencing extreme pain in her stomach shortly into her second varsity season. After multiple visits to the ER and after several hospitals sent her home claiming she was just dealing with typical teenage problems her prayers were answered by Phoenix Children's Hospital (PCH) and a staff that would listen to her and determine she was in grave condition.

"PCH told me they were checking me in immediately and after initial screening I was told I had a digestive disease, with the ultimate fear of being some sort of cancer," Kendall said. "What followed was a battery of tests that showed I had over 100 ulcers in my colon and digestive system. It explained why I was in such extreme pain and why my life was being turned upside down."

After more tests and surgery it was determined Kendall had one of the worst cases of Crohn's Disease the hospital had ever seen. Crohn's disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease.

Kendall's season was over, and so seemed her dreams of playing at the next level.

"I was hearing from some big schools my freshman year, schools like UCLA and Wichita State," Kendall said, "but when I came down with Crohn's and I had to stop playing the calls stopped."

LaCivita underwent a variety of treatments that included having to take numerous medications a day to control her symptoms and keep her life manageable. The situation was compounded by the fact she was a high academic achiever and her course work was severely behind. "My teachers were great, they worked with me and I was able to get caught up and keep my grades. It was tough, but I did it. My current GPA is a 4.35. School and volleyball are what keep me going," Kendall said.

LaCivita had three options presented to her to deal with her condition; undergo major surgery and have 98% of her colon removed, remain on an extreme regiment of medications, or undergo monthly treatments of chemotherapy called Remicade. She chose the chemotherapy and according to LaCivita the treatment plan has worked extremely well.

"I'm no longer taking any daily medication, my symptoms are under control, and I feel great," Kendall said.

Following her sophomore year in and out of school dealing with her condition LaCivita transferred to Basha for her junior season and a chance to rediscover herself and do what she does best, play volleyball. The Bears ended the season with a 22-10 overall record.

"This year I was back to full strength feeling and playing like I did my freshman year, we had a strong season but got knocked out in the first round of state. I owe a lot to my varsity coach Jim Kann, he was great and really helped me get back to where I am.

"After the season my goal was to get back into club action and get colleges to notice me again," Kendall said.

LaCivita tried out for an East Valley club team hoping to make a 18-1 or 17-2 team, but ended up making the top 17-1 East Valley Juniors squad coached by Jamie Rohme and Sean Callahan. "Many consider this the 'Dream Team' for volleyball here in Arizona," Kendall said.

"Kendall is doing real well. It's been hard what she's been through, she's had a few setbacks but Kendall is improving and has been getting her strength back over the past few months of practice," Rohme said as they prepare to hit the road.

The East Valley Juniors club team will be competing this week in the Omaha President's Day's Classic where LaCivita hopes to have college schools see that she's back playing at a high level.

"All my teammates have scholarship offers and my goal is to get a better outlook on what I will be doing for college. I want to go to Nationals and give it a good run.

"Outside of club and school I'm working to raise donations to go towards other people with Crohn's Disease."