If you’ve been to a Normal West basketball game this season, you have witnessed a scrappy and energetic team.

And leading that hustle, you’ve likely specifically noticed number 21, senior Savannah Steers.

What you probably don’t see, though, is the internal challenges that this West senior faces each and every day both on the court and off of it.

What you also probably don’t see is her silent battle against a health condition known as POTS.

POTS, (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system that controls body functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure.

Common symptoms include dizziness, lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, brain fog, palpitations, nausea, and sometimes fainting.

“I’ve noticed that weather affects it, which is constantly changing here,” Steers stated.

The whole month of October was the worst it had been.

“The whole month was really rough, to the point where it was really hard to make it through a school day. I don’t really remember the days because my body [was] so exhausted,” Steers recalled.

Before her official diagnosis in the spring of last year, Savannah states she could do day-to-day activities without much if any complications.

“I was able to do normal human stuff… I could just do everything and anything before POTS,” Steers stated.

Initially, Steers thought the symptoms she experienced before her diagnosis were “normal” and that everyone faced them during practices and games.

“I remember just [after basketball practice], I felt so dizzy, like I was going to fall, so then I was like, ‘oh, that’s probably how everyone else feels,’” Steers said.

As the symptoms continued, however, she began to pay closer attention to the signs her body was giving in her during those early years at West.

“I first noticed something was off [during] my sophomore year [of] basketball,” Steers stated.

She noted that some of the beginning symptoms she experienced were dizziness, lightheadedness, and discoloration of the hands.

“I brushed it off and didn’t really think anything of it,” Steers said.

Part of the brushing off was that her diagnosis didn’t immediately affect her in basketball.

“[I remember] thinking how it’s like asthma,” Steers recalled.

In the following months after the diagnosis, though, is when she noticed more symptoms.

Steers has had to learn her physical limits, and she’s also had to battle the embarrassment when symptoms like heavy sweating, etc. show up.

“I have to take breaks. There are some practices where I take five, and there are some where I take none,” she noted.

Knowing her limits is something that has helped her tremendously throughout the basketball season.

“I remember one day that she pushed too far and had nothing left in the tank. I reminded her that when she goes too far, she can’t play or lead. If she starts to learn her limits and has to sit out, but has something left in the tank, she can still lead,” head coach Corey Ostling stated.

Savannah struggles with these symptoms on the daily…even outside of basketball.

At school, Steers has a 504 plan that helps her have a “fast pass” to excuse her to the restroom when symptoms become particularly bad.

“Being light-headed, dizzy, fatigued, overheating, having brain fog, my vision will go out sometimes, and some days it’s really hard to get out of bed,” Steers admitted.

To manage the symptoms, POTS patients require at least 10,000 milligrams of salt per day.

“Our house is now full of healthy food because eating junk doesn’t help my body,” Steers explained.

Savannah’s mom has been her number one supporter during this diagnosis.

“If I get a new symptom, she’s researching it, she probably knows more about [POTS] than I do,” Steers said.

Overall, Steers’ diagnosis has helped her learn and grow as a person.

It has given her a new perspective and made her more empathetic with other people’s struggles.

“It’s definitely made me more aware in sports environments and realizing that there are things people struggle with, behind closed doors,” Steers added.

Her basketball coaches admire her work ethic and resilience.

“Savannah is one of the greatest leaders I have had. She holds a high standard, she is vocal, and also leads by example,” Ostling explained.

With support from home as well as from her coaches, Steers has turned this tough situation into one that can still make a huge difference to her teammates and beyond.

“I have learned I don’t necessarily need to be on the court to make a difference… I can still be a vocal leader and like to bring energy to the team, even if I’m not necessarily out there,” Steers stated.

A part of her vocal leadership is advocating for the disorder to raise money for medical research and support for other POTS patients.

Tonight, Friday, Jan. 16, as her team suits up against cross-town-rival,Normal Community, the team will also use the occasion to bring awareness for POTS and to support Steers’ battle she fights everyday.

The varsity game is set for 7pm at home, but at the conclusion of the JV game, Steers will be featured in a video that provides information for the disease and asks the crowd to help support a great cause, Lurie’s Children’s POTS program.

Both teams will sport ribbons to show unity and support, as well.

Throughout the contest, there will be opportunities for fans to donate, and a private donor has agreed to match all donations up to $25,000.

And once the initial whistle blows and the game gets underway, you’ll see Steers, a fierce athlete, an advocate, and a POTS warrior do what she does so well: fight for a Normal West victory even when she’s got her own battles to fight within.