When Abigail Godwin first felt the pain in her shoulder during her freshman year of college volleyball, she assumed it was just one of the countless aches that come with being an athlete. But as the seasons wore on, her symptoms worsened. By the time she reached the start of her junior year, her shoulder wasn’t just slowing her down—it was threatening to end her career altogether.
“I remember feeling like I couldn’t really move my arm the way I used to,” Godwin said. “I went to a doctor in Illinois, since that was the closest big town to my school, and after the MRI, I was told my labrum was degenerating. The doctor looked at me and said I shouldn’t play volleyball ever again.”
For Godwin, who had devoted her entire youth to the sport, the words were crushing. “It felt like my identity was being taken away from me. Volleyball wasn’t just something I did; it was who I was.”
At first, she tried to accept it. She called her dad in tears and told him she was done. But her dad wasn’t ready to let her give up. He insisted they seek a second opinion. That decision would change everything.
Godwin and her family traveled to OrthoOklahoma to meet Dr. Mark Paden, a specialist known for his expertise in sports-related injuries. Instead of confirming the grim outlook she had been given, Dr. Paden provided a new perspective.
“He looked at my MRI and explained that while I did have some small labral tears, surgery wasn’t the best option. He said my ligaments were just looser than normal and had been overworked,” she recalled. “With the right therapy and treatment plan, I could get back on the court.”
The difference in approach was like night and day. Instead of telling her to quit, Dr. Paden offered her hope, and a clear path forward. She followed a non-surgical plan that focused on physical therapy, strength training, and consistent care.
“It wasn’t glamorous,” she admitted. “A lot of small exercises, needles, and STEM therapy. It got boring at times, but Dr. Paden kept reminding me that every little movement was building those tiny muscles I needed to stabilize my shoulder. He told me to stick with it, and I did.”
When Godwin asked Dr. Paden if she would ever play volleyball again, his response was simple: “You shouldn’t have sat out last season.”
“That was the most casual, shocking answer,” she laughed. “I couldn’t believe it. I’d lost a year of eligibility, but suddenly I realized I still had a chance.”
Her team had been supportive throughout her recovery, keeping her involved in practices even when she couldn’t compete. As her senior season approached, a new coach joined the program. “He told me he wasn’t going to make decisions based on last year. He wanted to see me perform now. That gave me a clean slate.”
The timing couldn’t have been better. Surrounded by her best friends on the team and energized by a coach who believed in her, Godwin stepped onto the court for her final season with something to prove, not just to others, but to herself.
That season turned out to be nothing short of magical. Godwin and her team beat opponents they had never beaten before, including sweeping a nationally ranked #11 team. They finally defeated their biggest rivals, both at home and on the road, sweeping the season series.
“It was unbelievable,” Godwin said. “To come back from what I thought was a career-ending injury and then play the best volleyball of my life, it’s hard to even put into words.”
Her story isn’t just about personal triumph, but also about the power of support systems. From her dad pushing for a second opinion, to Dr. Paden providing the right treatment plan, to teammates and coaches rallying behind her, her comeback was a team effort in every sense.
Now that her playing days are behind her, Godwin has turned her love of the sport into coaching. She now coaches the freshman volleyball team at Stillwater High School.
“I’m more aware now than ever of mechanics and injury prevention,” she said. “When I see my players doing something that I know contributed to my injury, I stop and correct them right away. I don’t want them to go through what I went through.”
Her advice for athletes facing a similar situation: “Be an advocate for yourself. Even if it feels selfish or expensive, get a second opinion. Don’t just let one doctor tell you your career is over. Stick with the recovery plan, even when it feels small or boring, because those little exercises add up.”
Godwin’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the right medical care. Thanks to Dr. Paden and OrthoOklahoma, what once seemed like the end of her volleyball career turned into an amazing comeback story.
“I went from believing I would never play again to having the best season of my life,” Godwin said. “I’ll always be grateful for that second opinion, it gave me back not just my sport, but my confidence and joy.”
