COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL Six months after surgery, Lemke makes her return

By MICHAEL IHRIG
SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
ALLIANCE -- It is rare to think that a 20-year old college student would have to battle a life threatening illness. For Ashlee Lemke, a two-year letter-winner and junior on the Mount Union volleyball team from Austintown Fitch High, that became a reality.
Last January, Lemke was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma tumor of the brain. The tumor registered just over two centimeters and had been in her system for several years. What started out as minor headaches turned into a nightmare for the volleyball standout.
"I was having headaches for about a year and I was really stubborn and didn't want to go to the doctor and get checked," said Lemke. "The headaches finally got to a point where I couldn't take it anymore. I initially had a cat scan and according to the results everything was fine. However, my doctor suggested an MRI to make sure and the test result showed that I had a tumor."
Had surgery
After a few months of trial visits with doctors from the University Clinic in Columbus, Lemke underwent surgery on March 30. Following surgery, Lemke had complications involving hearing loss and partial paralysis to her right side. Her prognosis improved over time, but with continuing headaches, Lemke's future was uncertain.
But not returning to Mount Union never crossed her mind.
"Volleyball has always been a big part of my life and I couldn't see myself not playing and not being a part of the team," Lemke said. "Volleyball has been a great way to keep my mind off the situation and get away from the reality of it.
"Some of my best friends are on the team and they have been so supportive. I don't know what I would do without them. They are a big reason why I wanted to get back out there and play."
Back on the court
Sure enough, just months after the surgery, Lemke was back on the court. Although not fully recovered, she has come a long way through determination and a strong will.
"She's a happy-go-lucky person and that's what's kept her going," said Mount Union volleyball coach Sandy Douglas. "I visited her just after the surgery and my initial reaction when I saw her was that she would never play again. It's amazing what she has done. Ashlee is such a strong individual, the way she has bounced back is truly amazing."
Being around Ashlee, it is easy for anyone to see the excitement and joy she brings through her determination and her positive outlook on life.
Has lot of courage
"She is a very courageous female," said Cenell Munford-Clark, Mount's assistant athletic trainer. "To continue to persevere, to come back and do what's she's doing says something special about her character."
"I'm so proud of how well she has handled everything," said Mary Ann Lemke, Ashlee's mother. "She helped us get through it because of her strength. I look at the situation and thank God it was not worse. I still have her. There are so many families that lose their loved ones; as a mother, I feel blessed."
On Sept. 3, everything came full circle during the Raider Volleyball Invitational at Mount Union, as Ashlee made an appearance and received a standing ovation by family, friends and teammates.
Just six months after surgery, she was back on the court.
"I started crying with so much emotion," her mother recalled. "Other parents, and even some of her teammates, had tears in their eyes.
"It was truly a wonderful moment."
DiCarlo is teammate
One of Lemke's teammates on the Mount Union team is Jess DiCarlo. DiCarlo, a junior outside hitter from Fitch, was also Lemke's high school teammate under coach Tom Case.
Last year, DiCarlo and Lemke helped the Purple Raiders to a 25-10 record, including 6-3 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
DiCarlo played in 130 games last season and led the team in kills with a school-record 498 and was fourth in digs with 222. She made the All-OAC first team as well as American Volleyball Coaches All-American honorable mention. In 2002, DiCarlo was All-OAC honorable mention.
Lemke played in 127 games last year and ranked second on the team in digs with 467 and fourth in kills with 250.