NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — McAllen Rowe outside hitter Jackie Alanis slammed home her last emphatic kill in the RGV in the playoffs. On Wednesday afternoon Alanis was able to look forward to her next chapter of volleyball as she signed to Division I Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, La.
The Warriors standout had 890 kills as a senior to help Rowe into its third postseason appearance in her three years at the high school.
Even with the college selected months in advance, the ceremony brought a mix of emotions
“I was nervous at first but in the end, it turned into excitement and happiness,” Alanis said. “I realized that my work and whatever all my coaches told me to do paid off and this day I’m going DI. I want to thank my parents, my coaches and all my friends and family. Without them, I don’t think I’d be able to do it.”
In Alanis’ three seasons at Rowe and one season at PSJA High, she recorded more than 2,000 kills to become one of the most feared attackers in Valley volleyball.
“It’s very fulfilling to see that one of our players is going up to the next level,” Rowe coach Magda Canales said. “I had no doubt. Jackie has always been so assertive and she knows what she wants. It’s very exciting to see her go to the next level; I can just imagine the things she’s going to do out there.”
Her father, Jose Garcia, could be seen at every Warriors volleyball game. His daughter’s full-ride scholarship was an accomplishment and a relief for him.
“It’s a dream come true,” Garcia said. “Honestly, it was her goal since middle school, to hopefully get seen by somebody and play at the highest level. All that hard work, all those years she put in, all those hours, it’s well-deserved for her.”
Alanis was happy to have a chance to give back to her family who has helped her emotionally and financially as she competed on travel teams and played the sport year round.
“It was hard. They did everything possible to get me where I am today. By me signing today it’s me repaying for everything you’ve done for me. This is me showing them thank you for pushing me and believing in me. I’ll pay you back cause you’re going to see me in college and I’m going to get my career and I’m going to take care of you.”
Nicholls State plays in the Southland conference which means league matches against Sam Houston State, Houston Baptist, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Lamar, Incarnate Word and Abilene Christian within Texas.
The Colonels have played non-conference matches against Texas A&M, Memphis, Miami and Oklahoma in the past two seasons.
“It’s going to be fun because we are going to play some hard teams and I know that we’re not going to win all of them,” Alanis said. “I know it’s going to be fun games competing against them.”