From setback to comeback, Annalee Bollinger’s journey defines resilience.

Annalee Bollinger, head coach of the women’s basketball team at William Peace University in Raleigh, North Carolina, knows what it means to overcome adversity—and come out stronger. Long before leading a collegiate program, Annalee faced one of the toughest challenges of her life at just 14 years old: a torn ACL that nearly sidelined her athletic dreams.

A native of Granite Falls, North Carolina, Annalee was a freshman at South Caldwell High School when she suffered the injury. After undergoing surgery, she began rehabilitation at Frye Regional Piedmont Therapy, where her journey back to the court truly began.

“I remember doing therapy at 6:30 in the morning because it was the only time I could go,” Annalee recalls. “The team opened the clinic early just for me. We’d start with stretching, then move into strength training and eventually progress to walking, jogging and running. It was intense, but they worked around my school and basketball schedule to make it happen.”

Just a year later, another devastating experience occurred: Annalee re-tore her ACL due to complications from her first surgery. This time, she underwent a second procedure using a patellar ligament graft, followed by nearly 10 months of rehab. The physical toll was immense but so was the emotional burden.

“There were days I just wanted to cry,” shared Annalee. “And the team would say, ‘It’s okay, get it out.’ Then we’d get right back to work. They cared about me as a person, not just a patient. The relationships I built there kept me motivated. They went above and beyond—opening early, customizing care and supporting me every step of the way.”

Her perseverance paid off. Not only did Annalee return to the court, but she went on to play four years of college basketball at Brevard College, serving as team captain for three years after transferring from Division II Saint Joseph’s College in Indiana. A 1,000-point scorer, Annalee still holds Brevard’s NCAA-era career record for made three-pointers (188 from 2016-2019). She was also named to the USA South All-Sportsmanship Team during her junior and senior seasons.

Now 28 and injury-free since her teenage setbacks, Annalee draws on those early lessons in resilience as she mentors the next generation of student-athletes.

“I still credit Frye Regional Piedmont Therapy for helping me turn a setback into a success story,” shared Annalee. “Rehab can make or break your recovery. It’s not just about showing up; it’s about who’s walking alongside you. For me, it was the team at Piedmont Therapy.”

Her advice to others recovering from injury: “Take it one day at a time. Just win the day. That’s how you get where you want to be.”

Frye Regional Piedmont Therapy offers a wide range of services in physical, occupational and speech therapy. The team specializes in orthopedic and sports injuries, neurologic and vestibular conditions, speech and swallowing disorders, lymphedema and Parkinson’s-focused therapies. With a commitment to high-quality compassionate care, Frye Regional Piedmont Therapy is honored to care for every patient, close to home. To find a provider, visit FryeMedCenter.com/Piedmont-Therapy or call 828.728.8317.

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