The cacophony of voices fills a locker room. Eye black and sports bags litter the ground. Anticipation buzzes through the atmosphere. Outside, rain hammers the field. As the players walk out, the soaking jerseys cling to the lacrosse players’ shoulders as they press together in a silent huddle. The players’ voices suddenly cut through — “One, two, three, Rams! Four, five, six, family!” This chant signals the beginning of a match, end of practice and the close bond between the players. Wearing the number 17 on his back, Liam Reeves (12) steps out of the huddle.   

 After the COVID-19 pandemic, Liam explored his newfound interest in lacrosse, seeking a challenge and new environment.

  “I got to know some of the people who played lacrosse at Ladue, and we really formed bonds [with each other],” Liam said. “I feel like each team I played with has gotten more connected and feels like more of a community.” 

Lacrosse has taught Liam how to work hard and keep going through struggles.

“Sometimes it’s just not about the game,” Liam said. “It’s about yourself and challenging yourself, to be like, ‘can I be better than who I was yesterday?’” 

During Liam’s junior year season, his ongoing success was put on pause. 

 “We were playing SLUH in April last year, and I had the ball on offense,” Liam said. “I’m mid-dodge and a long stick defender goes down and swings his defensive pole on my left leg. [He] broke my leg, and I didn’t know it at the moment. The goal went in, which was a cool moment, but I just got injured and that kind of spiraled.” 

Following his injury, Liam came to realize how much his happiness depended on lacrosse. In spite of that, he was able to keep a positive mindset during recovery. 

 “You don’t know how much you appreciate the sport until you are stripped away from it,” Liam said. “It was hard to watch your team on the sideline knowing that you couldn’t help them, but it also wasn’t a bad thing. When you watch your team from the sidelines it teaches you things about the game.”

 Physical therapy added another layer of frustration for Liam amidst his mental struggle.

“The challenging part [of physical therapy] was coming back, and feeling like, ‘why am I here?’” Liam said. “It’s hard mentally to keep pushing when you’re already down and you’re injured.” 

Liam decided to return to lacrosse during the winter preseason. As he worked his way back, Liam focused on self-discipline to properly prepare for his return. 

 “[The injury] decreased my confidence,” Liam said. “I remember that feeling when I first started playing again in the fall, and it was really disheartening because I thought I was ready to play. But [the injury] also was a kind of stimulus for motivation to keep pushing myself because I needed to get better and improve my fitness to alleviate the injury and fix it.”

 Liam’s determination to return from the injury was evident to his teammates throughout the club lacrosse season.  

 “Liam is easily one of the most hardworking kids on the team,” teammate Andy Schulte (12) said. “He is always willing to shoot outside of practice and put extra work in.” 

 One of Liam’s supporters is his mom, Valerie Reeves, who has been there throughout his entire lacrosse journey.  

“Sometimes you just have to vent and you allow yourself to be sad, but you’re gonna keep moving on and be looking forward and pushing through,” Valerie said. “It’s going to get better, it just takes time.” 

 Liam realized that his recovery progress depended on finding strength within himself. 

“I kept [remembering] the feeling of not being able to play, and [that made me want] to push myself,” Liam said. “I think it’s good when that happens to people because there’s not always going to be someone there for you. The most viable part of recovering as an athlete is supporting yourself and being confident.”

 Throughout his recovery, Liam has learned the importance of holding things he is passionate about close to his heart. 

  “Don’t take things for granted,” Liam said. “When you’re taken away from it, you don’t want to have regrets. If you really love something, don’t give up on it.”