Alondra Venegas has spent her entire Odessa High soccer career with the varsity squad.
Now a senior, Venegas is hoping to lead the team to more playoff success.
Since last season’s area-round playoff exit, she’s been working to expand her game. Opponents already know of her scoring prowess, netting more than a dozen goals a season ago.
This spring, Venegas is hoping to showcase other parts of her game.
“Now that I’m a senior … I’m more confident on the ball,” Venegas said. “I don’t hold back any more. I can possess and I’m not afraid to speak and talk to other girls about what I’ve learned and practiced.”
Odessa High head coach Cecilia Kellar said as she’s grown up, Venegas has understood her role on the team more. At times, Venegas has gone up to Kellar with ideas of things she could do better, and eventually, those things have made an on-field impact for the Lady Bronchos.
“She’s always been vigilant in understanding her role and how she’s progressing through the years and having a bigger impact, it’s something that you don’t see in a lot of kids,” Kellar said about Venegas. “It’s hard to find kids now that make those around them better. She’s one that’s always making those work harder around her, making those around her better.”
In addition to being the starting striker this season, Venegas has to help others find the back of the net. A year ago, Odessa High had several midfield players capable to finding space and putting the ball into the back of the net.
Now with a much younger midfield behind her, Venegas knows her experience can help smooth over some of those growing pains for the Lady Bronchos as they progress through District 2-6A competition.
“Something that she’s always had is her work ethic,” Kellar said about Venegas. “This year she’s really taking on the responsibility. She’s a kid that with her work rate and ability is such a great kid to have.
“Everyday she’s here to work, to focus, to get better and to get those around her better.”
That might be why Kellar said that Venegas is widely respected by everyone else in the Lady Bronchos’ program.
As one of Odessa High’s six seniors, Venegas hopes that distinction can help the Lady Bronchos to their best season yet.
“I’ve adjusted to it from where I was a freshman — intimidated and scared,” Venegas said. “It’s crazy; I’m looking back as well with how much time has passed by. But that I know it’s our year. We’re the leaders of this team. We can take it from here.”
