BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — One of McAllen High senior libero Kellie Woodin’s fondest high school memories came with hair dyed purple and fake tattoos up and down her arms.
A standout on the volleyball court, Woodin also started performing in theater her freshman year. The role that called for the crazy attire was her favorite.
In the one-act play titled “Water by the Spoonful,” Woodin, then a junior, played a character known by the internet screen name “Orangutan.” The character was a recovering crack cocaine addict in a story about redemption.
“Our show was really deep about sobriety and finding connections with people,” Woodin said. “It had a huge message, and I loved that show. That character was super fun. I loved playing that role. It really taught me a lot, and it meant a lot to me.”
Woodin discovered theater by happenstance, but she really enjoyed it right away.
“I didn’t sign up for it,” Woodin said. “I got put in a random class as a freshman. I didn’t really know what was happening. So I got to class and Mr. (Jason) Barrera is there and he was just super fun and super awesome. I was like, ‘Wow, I want to work with that guy.’ So I decided to audition for the one-act play my freshman year, and I made it into the show.”
Barrera became a huge part of Woodin’s life, as well. She said she often turned to him when times got hard, and he was always there to encourage her. Meanwhile, she was excelling on the volleyball court, on the stage and in the classroom.
“Just like we had a regional appearance in volleyball, we also made a regional appearance in our one-act play competition,” Woodin said. “I was like jousting between club volleyball and theater. I was traveling out of state. We went to Indianapolis and Las Vegas (for volleyball), and then for the one-act play, we had to travel to Laredo, Zapata, San Antonio for the competitions. Having two ways to compete, it’s been a blessing, and I just want to thank Mr. Barrera for all the motivation he’s given me.”
Woodin said she enjoyed the way theater allowed her to express herself.
On Tuesday, Woodin made yet another memory at McAllen High, when she committed to play volleyball at UTRGV.
“It’s honestly been my biggest dream ever since I was a little girl,” Woodin said. “It means so much. I just feel like all my hard work really paid off in this moment. It felt so amazing to finally realize that the next four years of my life, I’m going to be doing what I love.”
Woodin was a part of several successful Bulldogs teams. In 2014 and 2016, Woodin’s teams made it to the regional semifinals. Woodin says she doesn’t remember much of the winning, because it helps her stay motivated to continue working hard for the next win. One of her favorite post-win celebrations happened in a middle school gym.
“My sophomore year, we couldn’t play in our gym because our gym was getting repaired. So we had to play at Morris Middle School,” Woodin said. “We beat Nikki Rowe and as soon as we did, the student section came running onto the court. They all just crowded us and we were in this giant bundle of joy. I don’t remember what happened after that, but in that moment, that was one of the best wins to me.”
In her senior year, the Bulldogs finished 43-3 and ended their season in a gym Woodin will get very familiar with over the next four years. UTRGV hosted the regional tournament and McAllen High, by virtue of its 3-0 win over Laredo United, got to play Brandeis at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
“That was incredible,” Woodin said. “Just playing in a gym of that caliber and that size was amazing. The lights, the fans and how everything was such another level, it just really gave me a taste of what it could be like playing in college, and I loved it. It’s ironic that that’s the same gym I will be in the next four years.”
Woodin wasn’t just along for the ride. This season, Woodin was named to the 30-6A All-District second team. In the regional quarterfinal win over United, Woodin had a team-high 10 digs to help the team advance. Over her career, Woodin was just as important to her team physically as she was emotionally.
“She’s very vocal,” McAllen High assistant coach Yvonne Mendoza said. “She’s constantly speaking to her teammates, and she calls out stuff. She’s able to communicate effectively and because of their bond, they are able to do well on the court as a team. Kellie is a leader in the classroom, on the court in practice, even in track. She was one of our track athletes and even on the track she was very driven. That’s the best word to describe her.”
Woodin’s drive has shown in numerous ways. She made it to regionals in volleyball and the UIL one-act play competition, and she earned a partial institutional scholarship from UTRGV.
Woodin says her work ethic is born of a rock-solid resolve to keep fighting through any adversity.
“There were times where I was in a hard practice, hard conditioning, a really hard work out on a hot day, and I was like, ‘Man, do I really, really want this? Do I want to do it for the rest of my life?’” Woodin said. “In those moments when my muscles are super tired, my body is exhausted, that’s when I realize that all of the sweat and pain and hard work will pay off if I just stick with it.
“No pain from working hard can compare to the pain of losing. I always use that to push me forward.”
This story has been updated to correctly reflect that Kellie Woodin committed to UTRGV and will be receiving a partial institutional scholarship. A previous version of this story misrepresented her signing status and financial aid package.