JONESVILLE — Jaclyn Henry thought her path to college athletics would likely come through a different sport.
Whether it was for coach Tom Dunn on the basketball court or Sydney Barrett on the volleyball court, Jonesville coaches counted on Jaclyn Henry to be a key contributor every night the Comets battled.
The Jonesville senior graduate had attracted interest from collegiate programs while building a reputation as one of the Comets’ top multi-sport athletes, competing in volleyball, basketball and soccer. But when a torn ACL suffered during basketball season abruptly ended her senior year, many of those conversations came to a halt.
Rather than allowing the injury to end her athletic career, Henry found another opportunity.
The three-sport standout will continue her soccer career at Jackson College, where a coach’s belief in her potential helped turn one of the most difficult moments of her athletic journey into a new beginning.
“I had multiple college coaches reach out to me about playing, and after I told them that I was in recovery for my ACL, they just completely stopped,” Henry said. “So I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to try for soccer.'”
Henry said she had hoped to pursue volleyball at the collegiate level before the injury changed the recruiting process. While some programs backed away after learning of her recovery timeline, Jackson College’s soccer coach remained committed.
“He was the one that was like, ‘I don’t care that you’re injured. You’re going to be healthy, and you’re going to be able to play for me,'” Henry said. “Just a coach seeing that in me, I was excited because I really wanted to go for volleyball, but the coaches, after they heard about my ACL, they were like, ‘I don’t know.’ But the coach for soccer was like, ‘Yeah, I want you on my team.'”
The opportunity provided a bright spot after a senior year that took an unexpected turn.
A leader throughout her athletic career at Jonesville, Henry earned all-area recognition and coaches’ awards in volleyball, basketball and soccer while serving as a key contributor for each program. She was heading toward what appeared to be a strong senior basketball season before suffering the ACL injury just several games into the year.
The injury not only ended her basketball season but also prevented her from taking the field during her final varsity soccer season this spring.
Being forced to watch from the sidelines during the final months of her high school career was difficult.
“Emotional,” Henry said. “But I’m excited because it gives me hope at the end of the tunnel to be able to play in college. My coaches are great. I love my soccer coach from Jonesville (Teryn Bugbee), and the Jackson coach is really nice. So, I’m excited to play at Jackson.”
Like many athletes facing a major injury, Henry initially struggled with the diagnosis. She admitted she wanted to continue competing even before learning the full extent of the damage.
“I missed seven games of my basketball season,” Henry said. “When I got injured, I was already trying to push back and play. With a torn ACL, I was like, ‘I need to play. This is what I have to do.'”
After processing the setback, however, her outlook changed.
“When I found out I tore my ACL, I was upset. I was emotional,” Henry said. “And then afterwards, I’m like, this is not really a setback. It’s a setback, but I can be stronger and healthier. Just going through recovery and making sure that I’m 100-percent before I get back out on the field is something that I need to do.”
Henry plans to study nursing at Jackson College and hopes to work as a pediatrician. Henry remains thankful for the support she received from coaches, family and the Jonesville community throughout her recovery process that will continue into her freshman year.
“My soccer coaches — they’re both amazing,” Henry said. “My parents, they’ve been here through the tough times during surgery and for my recovery, and everyone that’s rooting for me.”
Although her high school career ended sooner than she hoped, Henry now has the opportunity to continue competing at the next level, something that once appeared uncertain following her injury.
“I’m just excited,” Henry said. “Excited to play again and get back out on the field.”
Jackson College women’s soccer is coached by Andy Hosmer and Mia Walker-Quintana. The team finished the 2025 season 8-9 overall. Former Comet Karly Page is a member of the Jets women’s soccer team.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: How Jackson College women’s soccer became Jaclyn Henry’s next team
Reporting by Joseph Flaherty, Hillsdale Daily News / Hillsdale Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Joseph Flaherty, Hillsdale Daily News | USA TODAY Network
