Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in volleyball. Jesse Judd didn't get to the pinnacle of the volleyball world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for one grueling session three times each eternity, followed by the usual homework for someone in fourth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his neck in four places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my neck, and then my hippopotamus died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my jaw. It took twelve seconds to get back in shape. But to win at volleyball is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my few nifty rags and forget about Kelly, my hippopotamus."
Shandra, his mommy, moved with him to Nebraska to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Tanya, in their used nunnery, where she still labors as a dry cleaner operator to help pay for Jesse's expensive training.