“Hi friends! Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with an avulsion fracture of my patella…” That was Olivia Dunne’s emotional reveal back in March 2025—on senior night, of all nights. The LSU star has been sidelined since January 24, and fans feared the worst. But now? The Tigers are storming into the 2025 NCAA Championships as the top-ranked team, fresh off a record 198.050 at regionals. And Dunne? She won’t possibly be there! But amidst this, Dunne has penned heartfelt messages as her teammates prepare to defend the Tigers’ crown. Well, what has she said?

Olivia Dunne may not be on the mats right now, but her heart is. In the days leading up to the NCAA Championships, Dunne has been living in her teammates’ comment sections! And honestly, it’s the most wholesome thing you’ll scroll past today.  It started with Amara Drayton’s fierce post today, who shared a carousel of pics with the caption “Next stop Elite 8 😈”.

Drayton, who was explosive on the floor with a bold 9.925 and clutch on the vault with a strong 9.900 in regionals, posted photos that were Wow. In one, she’s on the team bus, purple LSU gear on, headphones in, flashing a peace sign. Then there’s that stunning mid-air leap—Amari soaring, in full split jump, black-and-purple leotard sparkling under the gym lights. You just know the crowd gasped.

Olivia popped in instantly with: “LFGGGGG big fan here 🙋🏼‍♀️” You could almost hear the cheer in her voice. Just one comment, but it hit like a hug. Then came Konnor McClain, who was one of the steady performers in Regionals, where she added a 9.925 on Beam, a clean 9.850 on bars, and nailed her floor comeback with a 9.900. She posted, “Time to paint another city purple and gold⚜️.”

And Olivia? Right there again: “Here for it.” Short, sweet, and full of hype. Konnor’s photos were just as electric. She’s shown chalking up, eyes focused, a sparkly black-and-gold leotard catching the arena lights. Another shows her deep in concentration at the bars—everything around her blurs. It’s her moment. Then there’s a gorgeous floor pose, one leg stretched, one arm raised, graceful and grounded. And finally, that triumphant smile after nailing her bar routine, white leotard with purple swirls and arms high.

But what about Olivia Dunne?

Olivia Dunne remains at the sidelines

Hey, remember that moment we all imagined, Livvy Dunne flipping under the bright NCAA lights, soaking in the roar of the crowd? Well, that dream hit pause.

Since January, Dunne’s been out with a tough knee injury: an avulsion fracture of the patella. And yeah, it’s as brutal as it sounds. Basically, a piece of her kneecap got yanked off by the sheer force of her own tendons. Ouch. For a gymnast, that kind of injury doesn’t just hurt. But it shakes your foundation. Landing, jumping, even standing steady? All compromised.

Dunne was expected to be LSU’s big star this season. But right now, she’s heading home instead. In the latest update, Livvy Dunne finally cleared the air, straight from her TikTok replies, no less. When a fan asked why she wasn’t competing, Dunne kept it real: “I’m recovering from a fractured kneecap.” Yep, that brutal avulsion fracture of the patella has kept her out since January. One sarcastic comment even joked about her returning for a “9th season,” to which she quipped, “I should.” Classic Livvy. Her post—“no better feeling😭”—showed her walking away after an away meet, bag slung high, but behind that moment? A storm of recovery, rehab, and tough days. But hey, she’s still smiling.