When our photographer asked the United States international and Otago Spirit player to jump a wee bit higher for the picture at right, she did her best.
A mighty effort considering it was not that long ago she was in a moon boot.
The 34-year-old American fell awkwardly, trapping her foot and fracturing her fibula not long after arriving in Oamaru three months ago, to play club rugby for North Otago in the Dunedin competition.
Her club season was over just two games into the campaign.
A bitter disappointment, considering she had waited more than 10 years to return to New Zealand since first coming here with the United States under-23 team as a 22-year-old.
"I’m not exactly sure how it happened. It was a miserable day. I’m not sure why you guys play rugby in the winter. We play rugby when it is sunny and warm," she quipped.
"But I just got caught in a tackle. I was not used to wearing boots with studs on them. I have not done that in 10 years because we don’t have soft ground quite like this."
Thankfully, the story does not end there.
She injured herself on a Saturday, had surgery on Tuesday, spent two weeks in a cast, four weeks in a moon boot and a few more weeks gingerly moving about as she gradually worked her way back.
Stolba made her debut for the Spirit off the bench last week and has been named at fullback for today’s match against Counties-Manukau at the University Oval.
The left-footer has played "10 to 15" games for her country but typically plays at first five-eighth.
However, she is well-versed at fullback having played there at international level.
In the other change to the starting XV, Michaela Baker, who has returned from a playing stint in the United States, replaces Kathryn Kibby on the right wing.
Denver, Colorado is home for Stolba, but how she made her way to Oamaru is a classic Kiwi tale.
She knew someone, who knew someone, of course.
The last person in the chain put her in touch with North Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Colin Jackson.
Stolba grew up with basketball and played the sport all through university.
She was introduced to rugby as a teenager but it was something she did for a few months during spring, when the grounds were still hard, obviously.
After university she virtually stopped playing basketball but kept going with rugby.
She had a burning desire to return to New Zealand and had grand plans to go tramping and soak up the great outdoors.
Her ankle injury rather scuppered that idea.
"The holiday I got to take during the club season was not how I would normally spend it. I would normally be out tramping but I’m looking at hopefully doing a little bit of that before I go home.
"But I absolutely love New Zealand. I’ve completely fallen in love with the whole Otago region and the South Island.
"It is the sort of place I love and the people are phenomenal. I love being able to stop and have a yarn on the street. It is really a beautiful culture and something I don’t see a whole lot of at home in the States."
Otago v Counties-Man
University Oval, today, noon
Otago: Hannah Stolba, Michaela Baker, Kilisitina Moata’ane, Greer Muir, Renaye Flockton, Olivia Waldron, Megan Manson, Angie Sisifa, Georgia Mason, Maddi Finch, Julia Gorinski, Annemieke van Vliet, Gemma Tuhega, Tegan Hollows, Kirsten Shalosky. Reserves: Paige Church, Genevieve Cockburn, Jess Kendall, Rachel Ovens, Lininia Kaufana, Georgina McCullough, Kiana Wereta.
Counties-Manukau: Hazel Tubic, Renee Wickliffe, Jonsal Tautari, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Langi Veainu, Timara Leaf, Arihiana Marino, Krystal Murray, Sharnita Woodman, Aroha Savage, Rawhina Everitt, Stacey Brown, Leilani Perese, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Hinewai Pomare. Reserves: Victoria Meki, Aotearoa Matau, Justine Lavea, Cynthia Ta’ala, Arzania Watene, Badinlee Munro-Smith, Ariana Hira-Herangi.
