When you ask the captains of the Kennedy Rockets volleyball team how they feel heading into the playoffs for the first time this century they have one response: Locked In.
Seniors Jimena Garcia, Heaven Gonzales, Brianna Cantu and Jazmin Vasquez are ready to lead their team and make school history. As the first Rocket volleyball team to make it to the playoffs in more than 30 years, this determined group of athletes has something to prove.
“We have that fight. We have that motivation,” says Gonzales. “We are showing people that we can be on top. We will change the mentality {surrounding Edgewood}.”
As the team started practices this past summer, making it to the playoffs was a goal each of them set. They knew there would be challenges along the way. As they battled through the season, one of their toughest games was against Memorial High School.
“The game against Memorial was very challenging,” says Head Coach Erica Rodriguez. “We lost the first 2 sets and needed a win in the 3rd set. They rose above and won the next 3 sets to win the match, that alone showed the love and dedication they had to succeed.”
Although they know how to perform during each game, the captains say the biggest obstacle is managing their thoughts before they step onto the court.
“I feel like coming from Edgewood a lot of us lack confidence. When we’re on the court, there’s so much going through our head. Whenever we played Memorial, it’s like Edgewood vs Edgewood, so it’s like c’mon now -we have to do it,” said Garcia, with a smile. “Now that we’ve made the playoffs, we know we can do it, and we know we can succeed from here.”
The girls give their coaches much of the credit for their success. Whether it’s doing drills at practice or seeing them during the school day, these student-athletes say the support of their coaches helps them face any challenge.
“They understand us on a deeper level. Like as a ‘mom,’ they see us down, they are like ‘what’s wrong?’ We don’t even have to say anything, they already know,” says Vasquez.
“Mentally, they make us stronger,” says Garcia. “They make us more confident in ourselves, on the court and off the court.”
The Rockets face a tough matchup against Floresville, a team on an 11-game win streak. With the game taking place at Edgewood Gym, the Rockets are hoping to capitalize on playing at home.
“I feel pressure, but I want to do the best for my team,” says Cantu. “I love having my team around me. I want to play better for them.”
From the first serve of the season to the first serve of this playoff game, these Seniors are part of a new chapter in the legacy of Rocket Volleyball. They feel good knowing the team is poised for success in the future.
“I want them to always have fun, no matter what,” says Vasquez. “Even when it feels like volleyball is your whole life, there’s so much more to enjoy. I don’t want {younger players} to be too hard on themselves.”
“I want them to finish stronger, to have more confidence in themselves,” says Garcia.
Coach Rodriguez understands that their influence on the program will endure long after the final whistle.
“I have seen these girls grow in confidence throughout the years. They now realize they are more than capable of accomplishing anything they set their mind and heart to,” says Rodriguez. “The work they put is the reason we are in playoffs. They never gave up on each other or the girls on this team. They are great role models.”
As they lock in on the match up tonight, the Rockets say they'll play better with a packed crowd cheering them on and supporting Edgewood.
“It’s a big game. Kennedy hasn’t been there, in this position, for a long time,” says Gonzales. “Come support the team.”
The Kennedy Rockets playoff volleyball team is made up of #1 Ariel Casarez, #11 Genesis Hernandez, #16 Brianna Cantu, #7 Adriana Salazar, #9 Bia Briseno, #8 Heaven Gonzales, #2 Makala Aragon, #6 Jasmin Hernandez, #3 Jalee Cordero, #13 Mia Marintez, #4 Jimena Garcia and #5 Jazmin Vasquez. They are lead by coaches Erica Rodriguez, Abigail Cordona, Martha Gonzalez and Vanessa Nunez.
The Kennedy Rockets take on the Floresville Jaguars on Monday, November 4 at 6 p.m. at Edgewood Gym.