Nikki Parrett takes a swing during a 2016 volleyball match against Northridge. The Warsaw senior has and continues to deal with a medical condition called Vasovagal Syncope that causes her unannounced fainting spells. (File photo by Mike Deak)

WARSAW – Nikki Parrett has been a difference maker on the volleyball court throughout her high school career.

Now the WCHS senior is looking to make an even bigger difference off the court.

Parrett is hoping to promote awareness, understanding and knowledge about a medical condition she has known as Vasovagal Syncope.

Vasovagal Syncope, also known as Neurocardiogenic Syncope, involves the autonomic nervous system. This system controls automatic activities in the body and is responsible for maintaining things such as a constant internal temperature, regulating breathing patterns and a steady blood pressure and heart rate.

Parrett, who had her first experience with the condition when she was 12, wants everyone to know more about Vasovagal Syncope.

Parrett, who is currently sidelined from preseason conditioning sessions while she is recovering from knee surgery in April, missed some matches late in the season last year after having several episodes where she passed out. She had a battery of tests done, including on her heart and brain, before being told last December that she definitely had Vasovagal Syncope and will have it for the rest of her life.

Parrett, whose condition is triggered by things such as temperature, blood and needles, wants people to know more about what has been called the “invisible” disease because you cannot tell someone has it by looking at them and they can be perfectly fine and within seconds can be experiencing symptoms or may faint.

“I want people to know that this is a real thing,” said Parrett on Monday during an interview outside the Tiger Den. “I know that some people did not think that there was anything wrong with me because I would be fine one minute and then pass out the next.

“I’ve had to accept that I have this and will have it for life and I have done that. It’s something that I’ve learned to work through and do the things that I need to go to try and control it.

“I really only know of a couple of other people (her older sister and boyfriend) who have this. I’m just really grateful that mine is not as severe as it could be and I’m really more comfortable now knowing what I have and what I need to do.”

Parrett says that she has not had an episode since April after having surgery to repair a torn ACL and meniscus suffered during club volleyball season. She visited her specialist last month and was given a good report and told to continue to carry on with her life as normal.

“It’s been a rough year and it’s tough right now being out (from preseason conditioning) because of my knee, but I feel good,” explained Parrett. “I feel like mentally this has made me a lot stronger as a person.”

Parrett says that being aware of how she feels is a big key as well as taking salt steroid tablets, salt tablets and drinking a lot of water.

“With me, the biggest thing is heat and getting too hot,” remarked Parrett. “I just have to realize how I feel and what can trigger an episode for me. I can feel when one is coming on. It’s hard to explain, but I just feel awkward inside and can tell that something is not right.

“It still freaks me out when I have one because I lose my vision and hearing when I faint or pass out.”

Parrett says that last year was tough as she had a number of episodes during the summer and then into her junior season. She had to sit out for the final two weeks of the regular season before she returned and had a tremendous performance in a first-round sectional win over conference and postseason rival Elkhart Memorial.

“There was a match last year at a tournament where I tried to play through an episode because I was playing so well and did not want to come out,” related Parrett, a high-flying outside hitter with a huge arm swing for coach Rick Ashmore’s team. “I just ended up collapsing at the end of the match. I learned not to do that again and I won’t.”

Parrett has received plenty of support during her ordeal and is thankful for that.

“My Mom (Kim) has always been there for me and I’m really grateful to have her,” stated Parrett. “Coach Hep (assistant coach and former Warsaw star volleyball player Chandra Hepler) has been great and there for me, too. She’s one of my best friends. Coach Ashmore has also been really good about keeping an eye on me and I have a couple of teammates who I am really close to and they text me and ask how I’m feeling. That means a lot to me.

“I’m just really thankful to all of the people on the team and at school who have had my back and been there for me through this.”

Parrett noted there is a plan in place at the school with the nurse and her teachers in case she has an episode.

“The thing to do if I have an episode is to get me laid down on the floor with my feet propped up,” noted Parrett. “And to get ice or a wet towel of some kind to put on me to cool me down.”

Parrett, who was an honorable mention All-NLC selection last year, is hoping to be able to play at some point her senior season once her knee allows her to and then go on to play collegiate volleyball.

For now, though, she wants to make her mark by getting the word out on a condition that affects a lot of people.

“I think that this has changed me a lot,” said the thoughtful, well-spoken 17-year-old. “It’s made me stronger, more patient and closer to God.

“I just want people to be more aware of this condition and know how to deal with someone like me who has it if I do have an episode,” she concluded.

Now that’s truly looking to make a real difference where it counts.