Watching sophomore outside hitter Paityn Castillo play with reckless abandon on the volleyball court for Oak Forest, it’s difficult to imagine the journey she has been through the past year.

She runs, jumps, hits and makes digs for the junior varsity team. It all looks so normal that even people in the Bengals’ volleyball circles have a hard time believing she has returned so strong.

“It was almost like nothing ever happened,” said Zach Kirkilas , Oak Forest’s JV coach.

Castillo spent 98 days in the hospital — paralyzed and told she might not walk again. According to Katelyn Kirkilas , Zach’s wife and a JV assistant coach, Paityn has made a complete recovery.

“I actually forgot what happened to Paityn because she has been so impressive,” Katelyn said of Castillo. “She has come ba

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