FGCU Beach Volleyball has been one of the most consistent programs in the Atlantic Sun over the past decade. The Eagles routinely reach the conference championship.
One major reason for the team's success over the past four years is Jaci Carpenter. The senior was an instant contributor from her first step onto the FGCU sands. However, while Carpenter is playing, volleyball is not the only thing she has to worry about.
"When I was first diagnosed, it was a huge shock to my whole family," Carpenter told Gulf Coast News.
As a 7-year-old, Jaci Carpenter drank a lot of water – like a lot. So much so that a friendly neighbor suggested she might want to go to the doctor to get checked out.
"My parents were like, 'Oh, she's fine. She’s just growing. She'll grow out of it,'" Carpenter said. "Then I was admitted to the hospital the next day.”
On Oct. 10, 2010, Jaci was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes — an obstacle that she and her family were not expecting.
"I've had to lean on my parents a lot for support," Carpenter said. "They were the ones giving me injections and checking my blood sugar.”
Throughout her journey, Jaci says the diagnosis has taught her a lot. It's made her more organized and responsible and helped her become the leader she is today.
Carpenter did not allow diabetes to hinder her athletic career. Growing up, she played every sport under the sun, ultimately landing on beach volleyball. Now, Jaci is thriving as a Division I athlete for FGCU Beach Volleyball.
"From the time she came in, she was such a highly touted recruit," FGCU head coach Chris Sweat said. "Her first match was at the one’s with a senior defender when she was a freshman."
However, playing an outdoor sport with Type 1 diabetes makes it even more challenging. The sun, heat and excessive sweat drastically impact Jaci's blood pressure and glucose levels.
"Sometimes when I'm playing, I deal with seeing stars and fun stuff like that," Carpenter said.
So, while Carpenter is practicing or playing out on the sand, she is constantly looking at her levels. She says she's checking her numbers every five minutes. During timeouts, she will consume certain snacks and drinks. Her go-to option is apple juice, and she's even trying to get a name, image and likeness deal from her favorite apple juice brand.
Finding the right balance while playing has become second nature to Carpenter. She has never allowed it to distract from her ultimate goal of winning.
"There hasn't been any time where she's been like, 'Hey, I can’t finish this game,'" Sweat said. "She’s finished every game.”
That determination was fostered by years of perseverance and a will to not allow Type 1 diabetes to get in her way.