UPDATE: McKenna Woliczko is BACK! The Archbishop Mitty superstar made a triumphant return to the court on December 1, 2023, after nearly a year-long recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. In a dominating performance against Clovis in San Jose, Woliczko recorded an impressive 19 points and 13 rebounds in just three quarters, leading her team to a resounding 82-44 victory.
Woliczko wasted no time making her presence known, scoring just 22 seconds into the game. Her early basket set the tone for the Monarchs (10-1), who launched a staggering 29-0 run that secured their win and turned a nervous start into a jubilant welcome-back celebration for the senior forward.
“I was very nervous, but I’m always nervous,” Woliczko shared after the game. “I’ve been so excited. It’s been almost a year, and I’m so glad to play it with my teammates. I’m so proud.”
Despite her nerves, Woliczko displayed her skills and resilience, overcoming mental barriers throughout the game. After taking a hard fall in the first quarter, she quickly recovered, a pivotal moment noted by Mitty coach Sue Philips. “It was actually good that she took a hard foul to know she’s ready to take those kinds of hits,” Philips said. “It’s incredibly exciting for our team, but I’m really happy for McKenna.”
Although Woliczko played without a minutes restriction, she was limited to about half of each of the first three quarters, resting during the final period to manage her return. She will have another opportunity to regain her rhythm in an upcoming game against Valley Christian on December 5. Following that, Mitty heads to the Kay Yow Showcase in Southern California, where they will face top-ranked teams including Ontario Christian, currently rated as the No. 1 team in the country by MaxPreps.
“It’s gonna be a very tough game,” Woliczko said, reflecting on the upcoming challenge. “But it’s nice to play them in a tournament setting, so I’ve already got my injury game out of the way.”
The atmosphere at Mitty was electric, with a packed gym full of friends and family celebrating Woliczko’s return. “I was very nervous, maybe even cried a little bit,” she admitted, highlighting the emotional weight of her comeback. “I’ve had a lot of time to process. I’m so grateful that this many people came out to support us and me. It was so awesome.”
As Woliczko continues to regain her form, all eyes will be on her performance in the showcase, which could serve as a potential preview of this year’s CIF Open Division state championship game.
Next Steps: Fans and analysts alike will closely monitor Woliczko’s progress in the upcoming games, particularly against Ontario Christian, as she looks to solidify her comeback and lead her team to further victories.
