By MARK MOLINA | STAFF WRITER
As a freshman, Olivia Soliz got her shot to play varsity volleyball after being called up from the sub-varsity during playoff time.
From that point on, Soliz would become a standout and a leader for the Lady Tarpons volleyball team.
Now, Soliz will be taking her game to the next level after signing an athletic agreement to play volleyball for the Central Methodist University Eagles in Fayette, Missouri.
Putting ink to paper signaled a personal accomplishment for the senior middle hitter.
“ It’s very overwhelming and emotional,” Soliz said. “It’s something that I wanted since I started playing volleyball. It’s all I ever wanted to do, play after high school.”
The relationship with Central Methodist came together as if by fate according to Soliz, who recalls being recruited following the Rio Grande Valley Volleyball Showcase.
“ I was invited to the All-Star game back in December and the CMU recruiter was there and I was approached after the game,” Soliz said. “It was an amazing feeling, because in that moment I didn’t know I was going to go there. I had a feeling like this is God’s plan and he’s laying it out for me. I was feeling like all of my hard work was finally paying off slowly but surely.
“ I like the relationship (between students and coaches) because it’s one-on-one and you’re not put to the side. They put the students first and not because I’m an athlete; I really enjoy it.”
During her career with Port Isabel, Soliz racked up several accolades including District 32-4A Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore, All-District second team as a junior and was named the district’s offensive player of the year this season after racking up 370 kills, 45 solo blocks and 30 block assists.
According to Port Isabel head coach Julie Breedlove, Soliz’s character is what defined her.
“ Since watching her play as eighth grader, she was always wanted to learn, always eager to get on the court, always first in line for drills and she’s just been really exciting to coach,” Breedlove said of Soliz. “When we moved her up her freshman year there was a three-way tie and she got a lot of playing time just to decide what the seeding was going to be. She helped the team out a lot then. In her sophomore, junior and senior year she kept contributing and became a good leader her senior year.”
Soliz now will look to make an impact with the Eagles, who play in the NAIA’s Heart of America Athletic Conference and are coming off a 24-12 season where they made it to the semifinals of their conference tournament.
Coming in as a freshman, Soliz is confident she can take advantage the early opportunities that may present themselves.
“ I think I can contribute a lot,” she said. “I am really good in finding the angles (on the court). (Central Methodist) has a senior middle blocker that is leaving, so hopefully I’ll be able to take the spot, make it my own and give the team something and contribute in the conference.”
Breedlove said Soliz has the tools to be in that mix right away.
“ I think (Soliz) can help out a little bit with the intensity of the team,” she said. “She’s going to get in there and she’s going to work hard and give everything she’s got to her teammates. I think (Central Methodist) is really lucky to get her as a player. I think she can go in right off and be competitive with the team.”
For Soliz, who plans to major in athletic training, opening a new chapter on her playing career is a scary venture, but one she is ready to meet head on.
“ It’s very bitter sweet that I get to go play, but at the same time, it’s hard leaving my friends, my family and I’ve built a relationship with my teammates here,” she said. “But I’m really looking forward to having new experiences whenever I go up to Missouri.”