The Bull Creek man was playing for Finnish Club Vaasan Kiitso when he tore a ligament as he went up for a block and collided with a teammate.
‘I went down and bumped my knee, and then at the same time crunched my ankle,’ he said.
‘It was one of those times where you can hear it tear.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW‘There wasn’t any crazy pain but I knew straight away something was wrong.’
The club terminated his one-season contract early, but Hender said he was negotiating his return next year.
‘I’m still talking to the coach and management at Vaasan Kiitso and am keeping my options open for next season,’ he said.
Hender said it would take 10 weeks for him to recover.
‘It’s really disappointing. I was in Finland for 12 weeks and played five league games,’ he said.
‘At the end of the game when I was injured we were at the top of the league ladder.
‘This will be my first Perth summer in four years, so I’ll certainly be taking things easy for the first few months and enjoying the sun.’
Hender said he would take on a senior role for his UWA volleyball team when he was over his injury and keep his training up for the European season in August.
He also plans to complete another semester of his health science degree at university.