According to the NHSSRISS study, the knee region is the third most common body site to injure while playing a high school sport in the United States.

The study states some of the most abundant knee injuries as torn MCLs, PCLs, ACLs, and cartilage, also known as the meniscus.

Data from the NHSSRISS study says that 108,157 high school athletes suffered from some form of a knee sprain, strain, or tear last year.

Junior Kendall Sells, a varsity volleyball player who tore her ACL and meniscus in her left knee while playing Lakewood at the Northview Invitational, feels the pain of sophomore varsity soccer player Lance Van Tine, who tore the ACL and meniscus is his left leg while playing a game against Greenville this year.

It was during the second game of the match when Sells jumped to hit the ball and landed funny on her left leg.

"I heard a pop and instantly dropped to the ground," Sells said.

Van Tine, who was injured while making an impulse decision to clear the ball away from danger, fully extended his leg, causing one of his teammates and an opponent to crash into his leg.

Because of the severity of their injuries, both athletes must sit out from sports for six to eight months.

Sells attends physical therapy three times a week but still managed to makes it to as many practices and games as she could.

"My teammates and coach have been extremely supportive throughout this entire process. I am very grateful for each and every one of them," Sells said.

Likewise, Van Tine was relegated to the sidelines.

"Lance is a phenomenal soccer player," junior Riley Williamson said. "Unfortunately this year though, he had to take on a new role as cheerleader of the team."

Overall, 221,245 student athletes were injured while playing soccer and volleyball last year, and 48,133 of those injuries were just from torn ACLs, according to the NHSSIRSS study.

Sells’ injury, she said, has forced her to open her eyes and realize all of the great and supportive people she has around her.

"She (Kendall) continued to attend practices and games and did a great job supporting her team," varsity volleyball coach Kyle Kurant said. "It was a tremendous blow, but the team came together and many players stepped up, and we had a great year."

Soccer has also been Van Tine’s life since he was 6 years old, and he has never experienced an injury that has kept him out for more than a month.

"It was depressing when I received the news that I couldn’t play until next year, but, I knew I couldn’t dwell on it forever," Van Tine said. "It’s the risk you take when playing in sports. You have your moments of greatness and your downfalls. Just enjoy playing while you can and make the most of each game."