By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
Hanna’s Odalys Gonzalez played at an MVP level during the 2018 volleyball season.
As a junior, the expectation is she will continue to get even better.
Gonzalez is a 5-foot-11 middle blocker with mobility and power at the net, plus the ability to play in the back row and dig up the hardest of hits that come to her.
With one more year of playing for Hanna ahead of her, Gonzalez already has distinguished herself as the Most Valuable Player on The Brownsville Herald’s 2018 All-Metro Volleyball Team.
The All-Metro area includes Brownsville, Los Fresnos and Port Isabel.
Concerning Gonzalez’s qualifications as the All-Metro MVP, her statistics are what best tell the story. She averaged 22 kills per match in District 32-6A, with a high total of 35 kills recorded during one of her 32-6A matches.
Hanna took second place in 32-6A with an 8-2 record and advanced two rounds in the playoffs. The Lady Golden Eagles were the only team to defeat 32-6A champion Los Fresnos in district. Overall, Gonzalez recorded 221 kills, 43 blocks, 124 digs and 27 aces in conference play.
“Odalys decided matches when they were close,” Hanna coach Ansgar Hagemann said. “She helped the team defensively with her blocks and also as a back-row player. But her biggest strong point is her positive energy, exemplary attitude and coachability in matches and practices. Odalys loves the sport, and she shows it in competition and at practice.”
Gonzalez was the All-Metro newcomer as a sophomore last season.
“I felt this was such a good junior season for me,” said Gonzalez, who hopes to play volleyball in college after graduating from Hanna. “It sets the bar higher for where they expect me to be next year. It just makes me want to work harder.”
Regarding her selection as the All-Metro MVP, the Hanna standout said, “I think it means that I’ve been recognized for how hard I’ve worked since last year. I know I’ve improved a lot from a year ago. I believe I showed it on the court this season as a junior.
“Last season (as a sophomore) I knew what I was capable of doing, and I knew I could do better,” Gonzalez added. “It gave me a lot of confidence for what I could do this year (by coming on strong at the end of last season). I felt I could do way better than my playoff match (against PSJA Memorial) last year, and that’s why I’ve worked harder.”
Playing on a team such as Hanna’s with the teammates she has had during her two seasons on the varsity is one of the most important things, said Gonzalez, who was an All-District 32-6A first-team selection this season.
“I’m so glad to have played with every single person on this team,” she said. “We all pushed each other, and it was just a great team to be on. I’m glad I got to play with them this season.
“I feel that my role for our team (this year) was pretty important on the back row and in the front row because we were a little limited for hitters and other components (in the lineup),” Gonzalez added. “I think I did a pretty good job with my role and following through with it.”
Gonzalez said she is grateful for everyone who is helping her get better on the volleyball court.
“I just want to thank all my coaches plus all my teammates, especially for pushing me harder during the season,” she said. “There were times I thought about giving up because I felt tired, but my teammates and coaches just kept telling me to push harder, and that helped a lot.”
The Brownsville Herald’s 2018 All-Metro Volleyball Team
Most Valuable Player
Odalys Gonzalez, Hanna
Offensive Player of the Year
Frida Rangel, Brownsville Veterans
Defensive Player of the Year
Madelaine Blanco, Rivera
Setter of the Year
Sarah Villarreal, Los Fresnos
Libero of the Year
Isis Delgado, Los Fresnos
Newcomer of the Year
Kenya Ibarra, Rivera
Coach of the Year
Becky Woods, Los Fresnos
First Team
Emma Stambaugh, Los Fresnos; Sandra Salazar, Los Fresnos; Kourtney Shears, Rivera; Ariana Arceneaux, Hanna; Tabitha Fernandez, Hanna; Jennifer Cisneros, Lopez; Ally Stachowiak, St. Joseph; Pamela Sanchez, Brownsville Veterans
Second Team
Natalie Davila, Hanna; Valentina Tijerina, Jubilee Brownsville; Halima Dervisevic, St. Joseph; Noemi Gallardo, Lopez; Daniella Espinoza, Brownsville Veterans; Stephanie Saenz, Pace; Ana Meza, Porter; Gabriella Torres, Port Isabel