By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
Volleyball will continue to be a vital part of Litzy Medina’s life beyond high school.
Rivera’s senior volleyball standout signed a college scholarship agreement Tuesday to play her sport next school year at Laredo Community College, a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Medina was a four-year member of the Lady Raiders’ varsity squad and a team captain who earned all-district and All-Metro honors multiple times.
As a senior last fall, she was a key player on the Rivera team that won District 32-6A with a 14-0 record. The Lady Raiders advanced two rounds in the Class 6A playoffs and finished with a 29-11 overall mark.
“It always feels awesome to see another one of our players get a chance to play in college,” said Rivera coach Elizabeth Avelar-Guerra, who in 2017 surpassed 500 wins for her 25-year coaching career, all spent directing the Lady Raiders. “It’s exciting for me to see it happen and know that they made it (by being signed) so they can continue playing. As much as Litzy loves volleyball, this is great for her.”
The veteran Rivera volleyball coach said Medina, an outside hitter, displayed numerous qualities that brought success to the team.
“Litzy loves the game and she’s not afraid (to step forward),” Avelar-Guerra said. “When the match is on the line and we need a point, she wants the ball. She wants to be the reason we’re successful. She is a great leader who has a lot of heart.
“She’s just an awesome player,” the coach added. “Litzy has a heavy hand and hits the ball very hard. She’s also a very smart player. She plays aggressive and consistent and is a good captain in that she helps the team by serving as a good bridge between the players and the coaches. Sometimes players are afraid to come up to the coaches and ask something because they don’t want to get in trouble or whatever, so they go to her. She’s a reliable player who passed along concerns of the team to the coaches.
“I could really rely on Litzy to communicate to the team for me (outside the court) and to communicate to the girls on the court. It’s nice to have players like that who do what Litzy does and want to be there when the set is on the line.”
Medina said she went to a tryout at LCC and the coaches there liked what they saw from her.
“I’ve thought about this day since the day I began playing volleyball,” Medina said. “It’s always been a goal of mine to play college volleyball, and thank God, the day has come for me to do it. I’m so excited.”
Medina said she wants to study kinesiology in college.
“It’s honestly the greatest feeling in the world to play in this Rivera program and it’s also a great privilege,” Medina said. “It was hard at first, but the coaches helped me, and because of them is why I’m here now. They’ve trained many of us to become great players who have gone on to the college level. They’re the greatest coaches anyone could have.”
The senior standout views the opportunity to play in college as another chance to improve.
“I look at this (athletic scholarship) as a motivation to be better,” she said. “It’ll make me want to work harder for everything. I hope I can show myself well in practice over there and get some playing time. I know the way I practice is the way I’ll play.
“I just want to thank God, my coaches and my teammates for always being there for me,” Medina added. “I have the greatest teammates, and because of them and my coaches, I’m here.”
Tuesday was a day for everyone to celebrate the signing and to wish all the best to one of Rivera’s best players in volleyball.
“I just want to congratulate Litzy for all the years she played for me and now for making it to the next level,” Avelar-Guerra said. “I know she’s going to do well.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess