Illinois State’s Prondzinski medically retires
NORMAL — A member of the Illinois State volleyball team is voluntarily entering medical retirement, according to the program Wednesday.
Kaitlyn Prondzinski is retiring from the sport due to prior medical injuries which resulted in significant downtime in the 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons.
Prondzinski missed 11 matches in late 2020, and three matches in spring 2021 due to injury. Another injury setback put her out of action during most of the current season.
The 2021 Missouri Valley Conference MVP posted 20 kills in the Redbirds’ comeback victory over top-seeded Loyola Chicago. She has also earned conference Player of the Week honors. In addition, she was a Redbird Classic All-Tournament Team in 2022, recording 49 kills in three matches.
She concludes her athletic career with 511 kills and a .262 hitting percentage.
“We are grateful for Kaitlyn’s loyalty and contribution to Illinois State and the volleyball program,” head coach Allie Matters said. “Injuries are always out of our control. We know KP didn’t make the decision lightly. We support what’s best for her and her future. Kaitlyn is a Redbird for life!”
Prondzinski is expected to graduate in May 2024 with a degree in psychology and criminal justice.
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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.
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