Nov. 2, 2004

University of Texas-Pan American women's volleyball team has one match left to play at home before the final stretch of competition on the road, however, sophomore Heather Bravo (Las Vegas, NV/Durango H.S.) feels the Lady Broncs still have a lot of work ahead of them.

During the 2004 season, Bravo has learned that sometimes the hard work doesn't always pay off. UTPA has played some close matches late in the season, but has had trouble turning them into victories. The Lady Broncs recently fell in a five-game match against UT-San Antonio and battled Texas State in a three-set loss (30-27, 30-20, 30-28)

"Overall, it's hard that we have lost such close matches. I don't think that there is really something we need to do to change the outcome because we are playing hard. It just seems that things don't go our way, and we fall short. I think we still have enough games to finish with a winning record. The teams we have left to play are teams we can beat," Bravo stated.

It's been a challenge for Bravo and her team after recording 19 wins in the 2003 season. She received valuable experience with the Lady Broncs that season and was named to the All-Independent Freshman team. However coming into her sophomore year, there were still things she strived to improve on.

"Our team set a goal to be top in hitting percentage so that was something I wanted to focus on. I also wanted to become a better passer and strive to be like Carol (Marcengo). I know my overall game is better this year. I get really excited to play, and it's been a lot of fun this year." said Bravo

Bravo has been a solid performer this season for the Lady Broncs, leading the team in total attacks (827), kills (274), service aces (23), and second in digs (284). Her high statistical standings this season have helped her keep pushing even when the team is down.

"I'm always inspired to play harder when I know the team needs me the most. I don't feel it adds any pressure to my performance because it helps my game. When I know I'm leading in an area, I want to keep myself there," said Bravo

It's nice to be a team leader on paper, but Bravo takes the responsibility further knowing that unless the team is winning her performances don't mean much. This season, Bravo sees her role as a playmaker as well as a team motivator.

"I see myself as the player that needs to be able to get the team out of a slump. If the other team is on a role I need to somehow find the way to help our team stop their rally. I like to be the one who makes the play that gets the momentum back for us. I think I'm good at getting the team to play together and help us find our direction," claims Bravo.

One of the biggest challenges and frustrations for the team this year has been the close defeats, but with the season reaching its last stretch, Bravo claims the Lady Broncs are still ready to compete. "It's hard when you haven't won a match in two weeks to keep working hard every day, but we do. We try really hard to keep our spirits high and stay confident even when we fall short," Bravo said.

It's that passion to succeed that has helped Bravo excel in her chosen craft. The UTPA outside hitter started playing volleyball as a freshman in high school and quickly realized that the game was more than just another after-school activity to her. It became her passion.

"I played every sport in high school, but there was just something about volleyball. It was so much fun and just kind of became the `it' thing for me," Bravo said.

However, the pure enjoyment of the game wasn't the only thing that kept her playing. She was talented yet always wanted to improve and loved the competition. Bravo found that her talents could take her beyond high school play into the college ranks, and she had a strong support group backing her.

"My parents and grandfather have always had a big impact on my life and decisions. When I visited Pan-Am, I found my family away from home. I felt so welcomed here," Bravo added.

What Bravo didn't realize was just how much she would need that support when leaving home in order to move to Texas.

"My grandfather passed away right before I was offered my scholarship here. I knew it was something he wanted for me, and I missed sharing it with him. I started to think I was going to do this for him because he would have loved to see the success that has come from it," stated Bravo.

When she arrived at UTPA, one of the first things she noticed was how well she fit into things, and the transition was suddenly a lot easier for her. Now with her freshman season in the past and her sophomore campaign coming to a close, Bravo knows that the work is never done.

"To me, every day is a new lesson. I've had so many different coaches, and each one has made me better and introduced me to a new aspect of volleyball. I think you have to keep working at it to become really good. That's how I got where I am now and how I will improve for the years to come," Bravo claimed.

It's clear that with each year, Bravo will develop into a more complete player, but more important than the statistics and victories, she is extremely thankful for the experience as a whole.

"Each teammate and coach has made me better, and not just on the court. The friendships I have made with my teammates make me want to play harder so I can see us succeed as a group. I look to them for support, and each one of them makes me want to be a better person," concluded Bravo.

With the end of the season just around the corner, there are so few opportunities remaining in order to get the Lady Broncs back on the winning track. However with Bravo and company in control, the hard work won't be complete until they achieve their goal of a winning season.

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