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MEN'S TENNIS: Morrison not breaking down from injuries

Senior is fighting broken bones, screws in tendons in an attempt to return from injury

At the beginning of the Ball State men's tennis season, Cliff Morrison had everything to be positive about.

A few months earlier, he had helped his team win the Mid-American Conference Tournament for the first time since 2005 and earned a lengthy list of awards, such as the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

Things were going great for one of Ball State's best players, but a complicated leg injury would put Morrison in an unfamiliar situation - on the sidelines for an entire season.

"It's been very different being on the sidelines during all the matches and not having the same routine," Morrison said. "Normally on match day, I would have a small lunch before I got to the courts; then I would get focused, listen to my music and get mentally prepared. It's been a big change to not have to do that and just come in, sit on the sidelines and cheer. It's fine, but it takes its toll after playing for so long."

Prior to his injury, Morrison had become one of Ball State's best players.

In addition to making Second Team All-MAC three times and Academic All-MAC twice, he had made the All-MAC Tournament team last season. Prior to this year, he was second on the team in singles wins with 37, behind junior No. 1 singles player Dalton Albertin with 38.

With so much success and a relatively injury-free career, the sudden absence of Morrison came as a surprise to the team.

The original diagnosis of his knee injury was compartmental compression syndrome, a serious condition that involves increased pressure in a muscle compartment. It can lead to muscle and nerve damage and problems with blood flow, according to the academic journal SportEx Medicine.

"It took quite a while to diagnose it," head coach Bill Richards said. "Once diagnosed, when he had his surgery, it didn't remedy the injury. So doctors went in, did a second surgery and actually detached his tendon and shin bone. They actually broke bones, moved bones and reattached tendons with screws. As a result, he was in a wheel chair for six weeks."

Morrison said he didn't know what to expect when he found out he was having a different kind of surgery.

"They actually changed my surgery on the morning of the procedure," he said. "I was originally being told I was having a less severe procedure, and then I was told I was having a complete knee reconstruction. I didn't think it was going to be bad, but it turned out tougher than I thought."

Despite the tiresome and repetitive rehab, Morrison has stayed involved with the team.

"I've still been able to practice quite a lot this semester, which is good because without the practice, I would be sitting and watching," Morrison said. "I still go to the 6:30 weights every morning. I might not do everything, but I go with the team and still do everything as on match days as we would with the team.

"The only thing that's changed is me not playing on match day."

Despite not being able to play, Morrison still has a positive effect on the team. Freshman Ray Leonard is one of the players who has been affected the most by Morrison.

"There have been times where he's watched my matches and he's had critiques for me," Leonard said. "He's helped me get acclimated to the college atmosphere. He's basically like a hitting partner as well as giving instruction to it because he understands the game really well and he's been around it for so long."

Albertin was Morrison's doubles partner throughout conference play last season. He said it's been hard knowing Morrison can't contribute to the team this season.

"It's something we've had to work through, but I think we've done a pretty good job," Albertin said.

Luckily for Morrison and Ball State, the senior was granted an extra year of eligibility as a medical redshirt. Albertin said his return will help the team greatly.

"Hopefully if he's healthy, we should be a very strong team," he said.

For now, Morrison is continuing his strict rehab program as he prepares for an opportunity to play next season.

"I've had to do all kinds of leg strengthening exercises: lunges, squats and anything like that to build up some strength around the muscles," Morrison said. "Having two surgeries last year and not being able to walk for a month in a wheelchair, I lost quite a lot of strength. It's just [me] trying to build that back before I can even do tennis."

It's uncertain if Morrison will play another collegiate tennis match, but his coach and teammates are sure he will stay positive no matter what happens.

"Morrison is a happy-go-lucky guy," Leonard said. "He could've just had the worst day in the world, but he's going to greet you with a smile. You can't tell with him."


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