Westyn Henderson’s eyes darted briefly right, then left, as she thought about how to answer the question just posed to her.
She had just finished having her photo taken after being named The Monitor’s All-Area Girls Soccer Midfield/Defensive Player of the Year, and she was still wearing her purple and gold McAllen High jersey — maybe for the last time.
A senior on a powerhouse team with three future Division I players — maybe more by the time all their high school careers are over — Henderson scored 10 goals and dished out 21 assists for the Bulldogs, who finished the season 20-2 overall and 11-1 in district, losing only to La Joya Juarez-Lincoln and to Katy Tompkins, the nation’s second-ranked team, according to TopDrawerSoccer.com.
Expectations were incredibly high for a team that just two years ago became the first girls soccer team from the Valley to advance to the state’s final four.
The expectations were especially high after what Henderson agreed was somewhat of letdown year last year.
“There were different expectations for this year,” she said. “We approached this season with a lot of goals that we knew we could accomplish if we worked hard. It was different than any other season. We always work hard at McHi soccer but this was the hardest we every worked.”
Henderson, just as in past years, played a key role in the Bulldogs’ success. In fact, she played several pivotal roles during a year in which it looked like another long run in the playoffs was probable. McHi head coach Patrick Arney used Henderson all over the field, taking advantage of her versatility in every game.
“This year I was more of a utility player,” said Henderson, who will continue her education and athletic career at Texas A&M next year. “I was willing to play anywhere, be that missing piece, and it changed every game.
“We faced adversity with injuries and people being out for different reasons. I feel this year my job was to step in anywhere and I did. I enjoyed switching a lot throughout the year. It kept me on me feet, it was never dull and there was always something different.”
What may separate Henderson from other players is a flair for the creative. Not only can she be tough as nails defensively, but she can also dribble around players, score from tough angles and connect with a teammate effortlessly with a perfect pass.
“I pride myself in my passing,” she said, adding she had no idea how many goals or assists she had during the season. “I honestly try to stat away from stats as much as possible. Ava (Alaniz) and I do that. Whether we are assisting or scoring, it’s all about helping the team.
“There was a certain comfort playing with this team this year. When we scored eight in a game there may have been eight different girls scoring. Everyone would get excited about that.”
Heading to the next level, Henderson is already planning to work first and foremost on her defense, forecasting that defense may be where the sees playing time.
Still, she wouldn’t mind getting a shot on the offensive side of the field, especially against SEC foe Arkansas, where she would love to score on longtime friend andd fellow teammate, goalkeeper Lexi Gonzalez.
“I’d love to get a chance to score on her,” Henderson said. “Of course, she’ll say, ‘Heck no.’”
Gonzalez and Alaniz, who will be playing at the University of Houston, had all planned to go out in style for the 2019-20 season. But, the same fate that hit so many others, showed no favors to the purple and gold, or any color combination as the COVID-19 virus put a sudden, and shocking early ending to high school careers and seasons. For McHi and District 30-6A, it came with one match to go before the postseason.
“It has been hard to grasp the idea that it was cut short, but trying to think about it positively this was my best season — not just because of wins and losses, but because of how I grew as a player and watched so many of the girls grow as well,” she said, her voice cracking just a bit with emotion after thinking how to answer the question.
“Still, having the season stripped away from you within a couple weeks, it’s still hard two wrap your head around. We had so much we wanted to do and could do. Now, we’re never gonna know how things would’ve turned out.
“But, still, it was fun while it lasted.”