Rocio Romero, Spring 2009 News Editor
Outside-hitters Janet Alvarado and Sarah Martin are the Pierce College women’s volleyball team key players, according to head coach, Nabil Mardini.
Alvarado, 19, began playing volleyball her junior year in high school and was influenced to play the sport by her brother.
When she was recruited at a tournament by Mardini, her decision to play for the Brahmas was not only for the team’s reputation and good coach, but the volleyball program itself.
Alvarado has been playing for the Brahmas for the past three seasons.
“It’s not about one or two players, it’s about the whole team. I love this team. The way I play, I play hard for them,” Alvarado said.
Keeping her reputation begins by focusing a lot on her position. Getting better in her position becomes a big responsibility because ,”if my team can trust me, (that)I’m good, they can worry about themselves,” Alvarado said.
In addition, she keeps up the pressure by always keeping her “A-game.” Alvarado plans to get a scholarship, focus on a career in liberal arts and, when she is done playing college volleyball, pursue her new challenge — beach volleyball.
Sarah Martin
It has only been a couple months since Martin, 19, who has been playing volleyball since the age of 12, received a call from Nabil saying he wanted her to play for the team.
With the season just beginning, Martin holds tight to her reputation as a key player.
“It’s a mindset thing, just keep telling myself to play. That’s who I am, I keep pushing myself and the team pushes me to do what I need to,” Martin said.
She keeps herself motivated because the team is one that amazes her.
“Playing for them makes me want to keep playing,” Martin said.
Although she is undecided on what type of career she would like to pursue, her goals are to continue playing for Pierce as well as moving on to playing volleyball when she is finished with her general education.
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