Odessa High’s Clarissa Rodriguez and her teammates don’t feel that they’re lacking any confidence.
Despite coming off a last-place finish in the District 2-6A standings from last year, Rodriguez is one of the many returning players the Lady Bronchos will have this season.
She and her teammates are hoping to use their experience as an advantage this season.
The Lady Bronchos return six players from last year’s team that went 14-15 overall, 1-9 in district.
The mindset for Odessa High is much better than a year ago.
“I think we’re really excited,” Rodriguez said. “We’re all feeling really good. I think we’ll have a good chemistry this year and I feel like it’ll be a good season. We’re all very confident and we have a lot of skill on the team. It’ll be a good year.”
The senior earned First Team All-District last year.
Rodriguez looks to be another leader on this year’s squad.
“My goal is to bring a lot of leadership and to make sure my team knows that they can count on me, no matter what and that I’m there for them,” Rodriguez said. “I want them to succeed.”
Despite the record, the Lady Bronchos were able to give a few teams a run for their money during last year.
Making the playoffs may be a tall order but the Lady Bronchos still think they can be in the race for the top four.
Their win over Midland High last year was the team’s first district victory in this decade.
“I think it gives us a lot of confidence because we were always that school that no one thought would win and I feel like having that one victory has given us a lot of confidence and shown that we can do it,” Rodriguez said.
One of the things Rodriguez has worked on for this season is her mental preparation and to not let things get to her after a loss.
“I worked a lot on my mentality and to not get down on myself,” Rodriguez.
One difference she’s noticed from this year and last season is not only her leadership role on the team but also her skills.
“I think my leadership from last year improved a lot,” Rodriguez said. “I think a lot of my skills have improved because of coach (Cody) Dominguez and I feel like I’m a better player all around.”
Rodriguez looks to continue playing volleyball in college but hasn’t decided on a school yet.
She spent the summer going to different volleyball camps and visiting campuses.
“I went to an Alabama A&M camp and a few other camps but I’m still looking at other schools and will go on a few more visits,” Rodriguez said.
As far as life after volleyball, she plans on studying law in the future.
“I want to be a lawyer,” Rodriguez said. “I want to study criminal justice.”
For now, she and her teammates are only concerned about this season as they hope to make it a special one.
“I think because we’ve all played with each other, we have good chemistry,” Rodriguez said. “We’re all very athletic people and we have a lot of skill. Throughout the year, it’s going to be good for us.”
With the season getting underway this week, Rodriguez said the first week of practice was a challenge.
“It’s been a lot,” Rodriguez said. “It’s very hot in the gym but it’s very fun seeing each other again and coming back from the summer break. We’re all happy and ready to have a good year.”
