The volleyball arcs high across the net, spinning fast as it drops toward sophomore Aspen Wilkinson. Time after time, opponents send the ball her way, convinced her prosthetic leg will make her the weak link on the court. Instead, those moments fuel her competitive fire. What looks like a disadvantage at first glance has become the very thing that sets her apart. She has learned to turn their doubt into points, proving again and again that she belongs on the court just as much as anyone else.
“I actually get more touches than the rest of my teammates,” Wilkinson said. “Opponents underestimate me, but I receive their serves and hits with ease.”
Her confidence comes from years of refusing to be sidelined. Long before she ever picked up a volleyball, Wilkinson was already learning how to adapt to challenges most kids her age never had to face. At just four years old, she was visiting her grandparents in Tyler, Texas, when her life changed in an instant. Her grandfather accidentally backed a lawn mower over her foot. Three long surgeries followed, but in the end doctors decided that the best chance for a healthy, active future was a Symes amputation.
A Symes procedure removes the foot but preserves the heel pad, which allows patients to walk more steadily on the residual limb and use a prosthetic with greater stability and balance. For Wilkinson, it was the beginning of a new reality and the foundation for the rest of her journey. Soon after, she was fitted with her very first prosthetic: a rainbow-colored leg that stood out as brightly as her determination to move forward.
Her mother, Mary Novas, remembers those early days clearly, and the adjustment their family had to face.
“Luckily, we haven’t had many hard moments that could compare to the day of her accident,” Novas said. “But it is hard for me to watch her deal with the stares and questions she gets about her leg.”
Even as a child, Wilkinson refused to let those obstacles weigh her down. She returned to gymnastics not long after the accident, eager to prove that she could still participate fully in the activities she loved most.
Long-time friend and classmate Lily Dunklin, who grew up doing gymnastics alongside Wilkinson, remembers that determination well.
“It was hard for Aspen to be a little bit different than everyone,” Dunklin said. “But it’s almost as if Aspen never has a bad day.”
That persistence became a defining trait. The people closest to Wilkinson often describe her resilience as her greatest strength, a quality that sets her apart far more than her prosthetic ever could.
“Aspen is so confident and strong and can do anything she puts her mind to,” Novas said. “She never wishes to be anything different than who she is and wears the strength and resilience that comes with overcoming adversity like that with pride and grace.”
Her ability to adapt extends beyond sports. Everyday tasks sometimes require creative solutions, from keeping open-toed shoes from slipping off to finding her balance while showering. But the harder adjustments are social — the times when strangers focus more on her leg than on who she is.
“When people focus more on my leg than on me, it can be uncomfortable,” Wilkinson said. “I wish people saw me as just a regular high school girl with a superpower that allows me to be empathetic and versatile.”
That perspective shows up on the court, too. One of the most difficult skills Wilkinson had to master was setting the ball. Traditionally, setters push off their right foot, but Wilkinson felt stronger using her left. Some coaches questioned her unconventional approach, but others saw the value in her ability to find her own way.
“A coach having qualities like flexibility and an open mind makes for a great coach and team.” Wilkinson said
Her determination paid off. Last season, Wilkinson was named captain of her club team.
“I loved being a leader and a universal symbol of our team,” Wilkinson said.
For those who know her best, it wasn’t a surprise. Dunklin said Wilkinson has always led by example, whether on or off the court.
“Aspen leads by example and shows us that challenges can be overcome and to always keep moving forward,” Dunklin said. “She’s also a super cool girl that’s fun to be around. Her sense of humor and wit are top notch and she’s always making us laugh.”
The amputation has shaped her in ways that go far beyond sports. It’s given her perspective, independence, and a strong sense of identity that continues to grow.
“Being an amputee has taught me that I’m the only one to determine my future and abilities,” Wilkinson said. “No matter what a doctor or teacher says, I choose how I live my life. That mindset helps me feel secure and comfortable in my decisions.”
That mindset has also led her to embrace a broader role as a voice for others. Off the court, Wilkinson co-hosts a podcast called The Motivational Mic, where she and her co-host share stories meant to shed light on amputee experiences and encourage people facing adversity.
Even moments that might seem ordinary — like being fitted for a new prosthetic — have become milestones to celebrate among her friends and family.
“Those small moments reminded us that nothing can keep her down,” Dunklin said.
Her positivity is something her family points to again and again.
“Aspen is full speed ahead, always,” Novas said. “She is always up for a challenge and never lets her situation hold her back from anything she wants to accomplish. She inspires us to keep pushing through struggles and live without limitations.”
Her stepfather, Jason Cuccia, described her in much the same way, emphasizing her relentless drive and determination.
“Her work ethic, determination and leadership ability,” Cuccia said. “Aspen is a ‘dawg’, plain and simple. Whether it’s playing sports or in the classroom. She always puts in the work and makes us proud.”
For Wilkinson, her prosthetic is more than a tool. It’s a reminder of how far she’s come, of the resilience she’s built, and of the future she’s still shaping for herself. Each step is proof that setbacks don’t define her — perseverance does.
Her story began with loss, but it has grown into something far greater: a testament to resilience, leadership, and the belief that strength is found not in what you’re given, but in how you choose to respond.
