Grayslake Central’s Dani Eckenstahler knows it could have ended differently.
Playing volleyball back in October 2023, Eckenstahler suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in her left knee during a Class 3A regional match. The injury was going to sideline her for the 2024 softball season and threw into question her senior year as a multisport athlete.
Eckenstahler figured out what she had to do soon enough.
“The injury made me work twice as hard to get back to being healthy,” she said. “I had to keep a positive mindset because it’s easy to fall into a pit.”
Not only healthy, the 5-foot-10 Eckenstahler has come back better than ever. After a successful volleyball season in the fall, the senior first baseman is back on the softball field and crushing the ball. She’s hitting a team-best .684 with two home runs, 11 RBIs and six runs scored in five games for the Rams (3-2).
“It’s really awesome to have her back,” Grayslake Central softball coach Jim Plaza said. “She’s stronger now and more confident and hitting the ball harder.
“Tearing an ACL is the ultimate test for an athlete. Your body makes things difficult for you. She has such great mental toughness and knows how to handle the ups and downs.”
Eckenstahler’s father Kevin said she understood the challenge she faced.
“She worked really hard to get to where she is today,” he said. “She learned nothing is given to you and you need to work hard for results.”
Plaza said the Rams missed having Eckenstahler’s big bat and steady presence in the infield last season, which ended with an 11-0 loss to eventual 3A runner-up Antioch in the sectional semifinals.
“Dani had a solid sophomore season defensively and hit a couple of home runs and was an all-conference-level hitter,” Plaza said. “I always wondered what it would’ve been like with her in that lineup last season.
“But she attended every single practice and game. You could tell she was putting 100% of her focus into getting back on the field.”
Grayslake Central senior pitcher Annie Wolff, who recently helped the girls basketball team win a 3A sectional title for the second straight season, agreed that having Eckenstahler on the bench last season was better than nothing.
“I’ve been teammates with Dani for many years in multiple sports, so not having her on the field last year was difficult,” Wolff said. “Dani’s calming presence, however, still allowed her to have an impact on the team.”
Indeed, Eckenstahler’s contributions to the Rams aren’t limited to her production.
“Dani’s a great communicator on the field and is always willing to be there for her teammates,” Grayslake Central senior shortstop Emma Andrews said. “Dani also knows how to have fun and when to get serious, which is a great balance for the game.”
Physical balance is important too. Eckenstahler’s recovery included a new emphasis on weight training.
“After the injury, I hit the weights harder and had to strengthen both of my legs,” she said. “I had never really focused on that before.”
Then Eckenstahler, who also played varsity basketball as a sophomore, could focus on her sports.
“Volleyball helped me get my mobility back,” she said. “I put in a lot of work with my dad hitting and getting more power behind the ball.”
The Rams are seeing the results of all that work. They’re impressed.
“Dani is incredibly strong and knows how to use her power,” Wolff said. “She hits the ball the hardest I’ve ever seen. She has a huge arm that’s hidden at first base but could be unleashed at third or in the outfield.”
Eckenstahler is ready for anything.
“I feel 100 times better than I was before and feel more confident and stronger both mentally and physically,” she said.
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
