But seeing Green's constant improvement and consistent production for the North Carolina women's volleyball team this season has been a thing of beauty.
The impact that Green, a junior who is starting for the first time in her career, has made on the team is evidenced on the ACC leaderboards. She is sixth in the conference in blocking and second in hitting percentage, helping UNC place second and third, respectively, in those categories.
"She's had a good attitude about practicing hard and trying to get it done," UNC coach Joe Sagula said. "She produced good results, and it's been hard to get her off the court."
But there were times last year when many -- especially Green -- didn't expect her to be on the court at all.
Green had offseason surgery in which a steel rod was inserted in her left tibia to relieve the pressure of a stress fracture.
She said she first felt pain in the leg last September but didn't receive an official diagnosis until January, after playing a full season.
There are still obvious remnants from that surgery. She has yet to regain most of her foot speed and still can not jump off her left foot.
Green said there were several occasions during the difficult rehabilitation period when she wanted to quit.
"I was a bitter rehabber," Green said. "I was like, 'I don't know why I'm rehabbing, I'm not going to be back. Why are you making me do this?'"