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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Beth McLachlin recovers from fall

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Beth McLachlin

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Beth McLachlin, a decades-long contributor to Hawai'i volleyball as a player and coach, suffered a broken vertebra Monday, but has the use of all her limbs and is in "high spirits," according to her husband, Chris.

McLachlin was demonstrating a backflip on the trampoline for her physical education class at La Pietra when she fell, Chris said. She broke the sixth vertebra from the top of the neck, and suffered an "extreme concussion."

McLachlin was "ambulatory and moving and cheerful," when she was discharged from the hospital. "That's really big," Chris said.

McLachlin was disoriented for about seven hours Monday night, but gradually began showing improvement.

"Her spirits are really good," Chris said. "She's really upbeat and she feels great. She's completely back from being 100 percent disoriented."

McLachlin was an All-America volleyball player at the University of Hawai'i and captained the U.S. Olympic team in 1976. The McLachlins are parents to Bekka, PGA golfer Parker and Punahou School senior Spencer, who has signed with Stanford University's volleyball program.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.