By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
Hanna sophomore Odalys Gonzalez went into the volleyball season as an unproven varsity player.
The 5-foot-10 1/2 middle blocker finished the 2017 campaign as one of the Lady Golden Eagles’ top threats at the net. She figures to become an even stronger player for her team in the future.
Gonzalez is the Newcomer of the Year on the Brownsville Herald’s 2017 All-Metro Volleyball Team. She won the same award in District 32-6A this season.
Before the season began, the Hanna coaching staff viewed Gonzalez as an emerging standout who just needed to adapt to playing on the varsity level. She didn’t disappoint.
“Odalys was one of our new, younger players with a lot to learn (in her first year on the varsity),” Hanna coach Ansgar Hagemann said. “We thought she had a lot of potential to become a solid player and she exceeded our expectations. Throughout the season she improved and got used to playing on the varsity. By the end, she was one of our main offensive players. She had a really strong game in our (bi-district) playoff match (Oct. 31 against PSJA Memorial).”
The Lady Eagles battled through the 32-6A race and at the end of the regular season edged Harlingen High in five games during a “play-in” match for the district’s fourth-place postseason berth.
Even though Hanna, 24-13, came up short against District 31-6A champion PSJA Memorial 25-20, 25-21, 14-25, 25-20 in bi-district, Gonzalez enjoyed her best performance of the season against the Lady Wolverines by recording double-digit kills along with several blocks.
The sophomore standout is pleased with the improvement she’s displaying.
“This season (on the varsity) was a lot different than playing on the freshman level,” Gonzalez said. “It was more accelerating and it felt very good (to play at that level). I improved a lot since the beginning of the season and I think it showed in our playoff match. That was my best match all season. We could have started stronger, but I’m glad we pushed hard (for the win) and I’m glad we didn’t lose in three sets (like we did earlier in the season against that same team).”
Receiving Newcomer of the Year awards for All-Metro and all-district was something of a surprise, Gonzalez said.
“I didn’t expect that at all — it was unexpected and it feels really good to get it,” she said. “I’m glad that people saw my progress and saw my hard work on the court.”
There’s a feeling that even greater things are ahead for the Lady Eagles in the coming seasons with Gonzalez and other players coming back.
“Yes, we have a lot of hope because next year we’re still going to have a really good team,” said Gonzalez, who has transitioned from volleyball to basketball in recent weeks. She’ll eventually compete in track, too, this school year.
“We’ve got some really good freshmen coming up and hopefully we’ll progress,” she added.
Gonzalez appreciates everyone who is helping and guiding her along the way.
“I thank all my coaches and especially my parents because they have supported me through everything,” she said. “I’m really happy with the progress I’ve made. I’m just glad to have everyone who has been on my side throughout my whole life.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess