Featured Senior: Vanessa Almaraz

What was your most memorable moment throughout your career at Willamette?

When I made a diving catch in center field and threw to second base for a double play to win and end the first game of our series against Pacific Lutheran this year.

Describe your feelings when you found out the season was canceled

While it was upsetting, it was not surprising because so many other schools had been canceling seasons. This made dealing with it a bit easier, however, it still hurt and I felt like I didn't get closure with my sport because of the sudden ending.

How have you been handling life in quarantine? Are you home or on campus? What's it like learning online and not having practice?

It's been tough. I am off-campus in Salem with Olivia. We have been doing lots of home workouts and going for walks when we can. Learning online is difficult and I miss being in class with professors and classmates, especially those in my major. Not having practice is strange right now because of all the free time I have, but it is nice and is allowing me to be extra productive with school.

What has your experience as a Bearcat taught you?

It has taught me to be resilient. Being on the softball team for four years, we were not the best and didn't win a whole lot of games, but that never stopped me from coming back each year to work hard and play the game that means so much to me. It also taught me how to be a good teammate and put the needs of others before my own and be able to help whenever possible. I've also learned what it truly means to be a student-athlete by adapting and being able to thrive in both my academics and my sport.

If you could leave one piece of advice for future Bearcats, what would it be?

There's more to life than just your sport. Be dedicated to your sport, but don't be afraid to seek out other opportunities that will help you grow. Step out of your comfort zone and be involved in other areas of life. Your sport will teach you many valuable lessons, but it will not teach you everything, and you'll be surprised how much you can learn and grow with different opportunities.

What are your future plans following graduation?

I will be in my new home state of Texas working as a physical therapy aide, working towards a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification, and applying to physical therapy school in my gap year.

From her teammates

What was your most memorable moment of Vanessa?

Jocelyn Glasgo: This season, we were playing PLU at home and Vanessa was in center field. We were up 6-3, with one out and PLU runners on 2nd and 3rd. A low line drive was hit to Vanessa and she made a diving catch, came up and threw the runner at second base out ... double play!!! This girl is a stud!

Kealaulaikalani Gier: My memorable moment of Vanessa is when she was in the outfield during a game at our Idaho tourney. She jumped in the air because of an exciting play and then she fell on the ground because she tripped over herself.

How has Vanessa impacted you in your sport or in life?

Olivia Scott: Vanessa is one of the nicest people I know. She has taught me how to be a good teammate and challenges me daily to be a better person in every aspect of my life. She always encourages me to look for more ways to challenge myself in softball and in life and is always there to support me if things don't go as planned. I would not be where I am athletically or academically without Vanessa's constant friendship and support.

Kaitlyn Wells: Vanessa has been someone I aspire to be like both on and off the field. On the field she is a great competitor, and off the field she is extremely hard working and kind.

What makes Vanessa special?

Olivia Scott: Her selflessness. Vanessa is always willing to give up some of her time and energy to make someone a better softball player or support them off the field.

Kealaulaikalani Gier: Vanessa has grown so much as a player and has pushed me to be the best softball player I could be. She is positive and makes everyone on the team feel welcomed and loved. She relates to everyone in their highs and lows, making her trusting and respected.

Is there anything Vanessa brought to the program that will have a lasting impact?

Kendra Knapp: Hard work on and off the field.

Kealaulaikalani Gier: Vanessa showed the team that no matter how rough the lows get or how great the highs are, it is important to always be a good teammate all-around because that's the one thing you can control when playing a game of failure.