As an exercise science major and standout volleyball player, Kamryn Wolf immediately knew she had a long road of recovery ahead of her when she landed awkwardly on a teammate’s foot with pain surging through her leg.
Despite the chaos caused by Hurricane Helene, which flooded their home court in September and forced an unexpected two-and-a-half-week break, the Cavaliers entered their October 18 matchup against the University of Pikeville with their best start in more than 20 years, winning seven of their first eight matches.
Wolf, too, was having the best season of her career. She led the NAIA in kills per set, recorded the most kills in a single match by a Montreat player in 17 years with 29, and achieved the 1,000-kill career milestone. Yet, in the first set of that fateful match, one jump changed everything. She suffered a torn ACL, meniscus, and MCL, along with a fractured patella, instantly ending her senior season.
Instead of having surgery as soon as possible, Wolf delayed the procedure until Montreat’s volleyball season concluded at the conference tournament. Her decision provided a way to stay involved with the team and helped her not to dwell on the disappointment.
“You could say I was at the peak of my career,” she said. “We were having a good season, and personally, I was having a really good season, but the injury gave me a unique opportunity to be a tool to the team in more ways than one. I was very thankful my coaches and my teammates allowed me to step into a different kind of leadership role and still be a vital part of the team. Overall, my injury provided me with a unique opportunity to use my talents for the good of other people. It’s great to be on top, but in my opinion, it’s even better to help other people be on top.”
Wolf’s recovery is expected to be a nine-month process. Four months after her surgery, she acknowledges the daily challenges—both physical and mental—as she continues physical therapy multiple times a week.
“To be successful as an athlete, you always hold yourself to that higher standard, and I can’t even do a single bodyweight squat without extreme pain,” she said. “There’s frustration knowing where you once were and where you could be. There’s pain, but nothing I can’t handle.”
Through the adversity of her injury and the impact of Hurricane Helene, Wolf found strength in her faith and the support of the Montreat community.
“This past year made me question the whole process,” Wolf shared, “but my professors and coaches helped show me that faith is greater than the fear of it all. Montreat provides so many opportunities to grow your faith. A lot of people in their early 20s lose that religious side of their life, but my faith grew, so I’m very thankful.”
A native of Lambertville, Michigan, Wolf received interest from several schools to play volleyball, but her desire to attend a Christ-centered college and a connection to Coach Haley Paonessa, who was also from the Toledo area, convinced her to load up her small Ford Taurus for the 600-mile drive southeast to Montreat College.
“I wanted to find a place where I could blend everything that’s important to me together,” Wolf said. “There’s no better place than Montreat. It’s beautiful, and I could blend sports, my studies, and my faith. It’s important to find somewhere you can go that takes your beliefs into consideration and the way you want to live your life. That’s what set Montreat apart for me.”
Throughout her four years at Montreat College, Wolf experienced the guidance of three different head volleyball coaches. While each had a unique coaching style, the commitment to developing young women beyond the game remained a constant priority.
“They all wanted to make sure we were more than athletes,” she reflected. “That was very important to me. Obviously, everyone loves to play a college sport, but the main goal is to get a degree, so I was very thankful they all supported us in that way.”
Looking back, Wolf is confident in her choice to attend Montreat College, even though she admits it took her some time to truly find her place.
“It took me until the middle of my sophomore year to find the people who are going to be there for me through all seasons of life,” she said. “Once I found that good group of friends and my groove, I would choose Montreat 100 times over again. I wouldn’t trade any of my friends, my teammates, my coaches, or my professors.”
Since graduating from Montreat College in December 2024 with a degree in exercise science with a pre-professional concentration, Wolf has returned to her hometown, where she now works as a recreational therapist at a home for adults with developmental disabilities. After gaining a year of experience, she plans to take her board exams for certification.
“I’m glad I chose the career path that I did,” she said. “I like working with adults with disabilities. A lot of times, they are the forgotten ones. It’s rewarding working with them and making a difference in people’s lives. As a girl, I wanted to be a doctor, but now recreational therapy is the path that I love, and getting people to move their bodies and use their bodies to express themselves, not just through sports, but through everyday movement is the goal.”
Her job reminds her of the mantra “for those who can’t” that she embraces in all aspects of her life.
“It’s about perspective and looking at everything with a positive attitude,” she advised. “I realize that I had a great opportunity to play in college. It may be hard, but some people would be so grateful to be in my shoes.”
Although she officially graduated in December, Wolf’s connection to Montreat is far from over. She remains in contact with her exercise science professors and plans to return to campus in May to walk across the stage at commencement to receive her diploma.
“When you graduate from Montreat, they still want to connect with you and let you know that you’re still a part of their community,” she emphasized. “While I had a great athletic and academic experience at Montreat, it’s really the people that made the difference. Knowing that you’re cared for is definitely what makes Montreat College special.”