DAPHNE — At 34 years old, Daphne High School volleyball assistant coach Savannah “Coach Coop” Cooper is in a battle few can imagine — her third fight with cancer in just six years. 

When Cooper moved to the Eastern Shore to begin teaching special education, she found herself not only in a new community but also in two places of happiness — the classroom and the volleyball court, where she could pour her energy into students and players who lifted her spirits daily.

“They keep me inspired to come in because they are the sweetest most precious souls,” Cooper said. 

GROWING UP IN THE GAME

Cooper grew up in Oxford, Alabama, where volleyball became part of her life almost as early as she can remember. Both her parents were physical education teachers, so sports were always around.

“I started being a (volleyball) manager in second grade,” she said. “By the time I was a freshman in high school, I found a club team and just fell in love with it. From there, I knew I wanted to play college ball.”

That dream carried her to Bethel University in Tennessee, six hours from home. While she admits she had to be reminded by her student housing director and coach to call her mom all the time, she embraced independence.

“I loved the new experience,” Cooper said. “I enjoyed getting to meet new people, and just getting out there, getting to play volleyball and do what I love."

A TEACHER AT HEART

Volleyball wasn’t the only passion that came naturally. By 15 years old, Cooper knew in her heart that teaching was in her future. 

With the PE coach jobs during the school year, Cooper’s parents volunteered at ARC camps in the summer. She joined them at 15, volunteering at those summer camps for students with special needs which set her on the path to education.

“I just knew then, this is what I want to be,” she said. “I tried to fight it for a little bit, but I’ve been teaching in a self-contained unit ever since I started, and I’ve loved every minute of it.”

After living back home with her grandparents for seven to eight years, Cooper began looking for a change, so she applied for a teaching position at Daphne. The chance to coach volleyball alongside it was a bonus when she met head coach Casey Craig.

“From the moment I stepped into the interview, it just clicked,” she said. “Coach Craig and I had the same mindset, the same personality. We knew right away it was a fit.”

FACING CANCER — AGAIN AND AGAIN

Cooper’s first diagnosis came at 29. She didn’t tell many people at the time, scared and not really knowing what to expect. A year of immunotherapy followed, and she leaned on family and a small circle of coworkers.

Two years ago, the disease returned, this time as a baseball-sized tumor in her hip that required major surgery.

“That one hit hard,” she said. “I couldn’t walk right, and I had swelling all over.”

Earlier this year, Cooper got the news again — her third diagnosis.

“I was in New York on spring break with my best friend at a Kelly Clarkson show, and they don't let you have your phones,” she said. “I opened my phone right before and saw the positive results. My best friend was the only one that knew for a day and a half. I didn't even tell my parents until I got back because I was processing — the PET scan showed it was in my stomach, my lungs, my chest, my neck, my right hip, and then it was in the brain.”

After three months of doctor visits, the next PET scan showed that all the tumors were gone except the one in her brain. Cooper underwent emergency brain surgery this past summer and continued treatment after. The biggest difference this time was she already knew what to expect with immunotherapy. 

“... Because I've already been through it,” she said. “I knew my body was going to react differently because this is when they get harder. I'm gonna get more tired, my body's gonna react differently, knowing if I need to change soaps or if I need to change hair products — it's not a lot easier, but I'm more knowledgeable.”

FINDING STRENGTH IN THE GYM

Throughout each battle, the volleyball court has remained Cooper’s refuge. Players and coaches have always been the shining light in dark times that helps keep her afloat. 

“You always need teammates, people you can trust,” she said. “Even when I'm feeling like the treatments are kicking my butt or my body's exhausted, that's the one place I know that I can go and I'm at home.”

Her players, in turn, have rallied around her. They’ve written cards, brought meals and celebrated in joy when she showed back up after her latest treatment. 

“This summer, I missed a lot,” Cooper said. “So when I did get to come back, they were all like, ‘Coach Coop! You’re back!’’ — this group has always been awesome.”

Cooper uses volleyball as a reference in her battles, using her favorite phrase of "never let the ball hit the ground." She explained that even if you lose a game, you can always fight in the next game or set as long as you never give up. 

SUPPORT SYSTEM

In times such as what Cooper has been through, having people to lean on is vital. She says her family has been her anchor, especially her mom, who moved in this summer to drive her to treatments and help her rely on her faith by sending daily Bible verses. Friends, fellow teachers and Daphne parents have also stepped up, sometimes with just simple check-ins.

“She's (her mother) just always checking on me throughout the day,” Cooper said. “I know I'm cared about. Even when I'm barely hanging on, they're here and they care — a lot of these girls and their parents have, even without being asked, come through and they’ll send meals.”

NEW PERSPECTIVE

The fight has given Cooper a new outlook on life. She said she values time more than ever — with her family, her students and her team.

“I also just value time more and people in general,” Cooper said. “Like you find out who's really true in your life and who really who values you for you instead of just your general presence.”

When asked what she would tell someone else going through a struggle, Cooper draws back on lessons from both the classroom and the court.

“I'll tell you one day at a time” she said. “No battle is too big or too small. It just depends on how you look at it. Sometimes you may have to step back. In my classroom, we do a lot of ‘Hey, let's take a step back and let's look at this from a different way.’ — I just think it's about who you are and how you kind of process things as a person is how you take things on in life — allowing yourself to feel and have emotions and just really experience life, no matter the good, the bad or the ugly.”