For Raymondville’s Miranda Esparza, that opportunity to decide the type of person she wanted to become came at the end of last year’s volleyball season when she was a junior.
That’s when a once quiet, soft-spoken and timid Esparza got fed up of being scared. Fed up of being afraid to make a mistake. Fed up of being the player getting passed over time and time again. That’s when Esparza said to herself, ‘I need to change.’
Right then and there, Esparza set her sights on becoming the captain of the Lady Bearkats volleyball team no matter what.
“The Miranda from last year and the Miranda from this year are completely different people,” said Lady Kats head volleyball coach Norma Rodriguez about Ezparza’s turnaround. “It has been a complete 180. I was impressed when she came up to me saying ‘Coach, I know I can step it up this year and show you I can lead the team.’”
Like many other players from the area, Esparza began playing sports in the seventh grade. As a freshman in high school Esparza played on the freshman team except she was training with the varsity team over the summer in various volleyball leagues.
However, living in Raymondville sometimes has its disadvantages.
As coach Rodriguez explained, sometimes it’s hard for players from the area to join club teams because it’s economically unfeasible for them to do so. And the lack of a Boys & Girls Club in the area makes it almost impossible for young, aspiring athletes to get started early or play any type of organized sports outside of school.
In fact, the nearest Boys & Girls Club is 20 miles east in Hargill or 22 miles south in Primera.
Nevertheless, Esparza pushed forward and spent her last three summers traveling to Monte Alto and Edinburg, dedicating her time to the sport.
Although volleyball may be her primary sport, basketball and softball also hold a special place in her heart.
The competitive nature that runs through her veins is something she gets from her parents, who were successful athletes in their own right.
However, playing sports hasn’t come without a price.
Last summer Esparza suffered her second concussion just before basketball season started, causing her to miss the entire 2014 season.
“I got my first concussion my sophomore year during preseason in basketball,” Esparza said. “I went up for a long, half-court pass and I got hit while I was in the air, and fell and hit my head.
“My second one I got my junior year going up for a rebound in basketball as well. I had to sit out the remainder of the season without even starting the actual season.”
Despite all the obstacles, nothing deterred Esparza from becoming the leader she is today.
“Miranda is a great captain and other players love playing for her,” said Rodriguez. “She is the type of person other players respect and look up to.”