Belizean Student Chosen as Volleyball Freshman of the Year in US

A Belizean athlete studying abroad, Fatima Ramirez, was selected as the Freshman of the Year for volleyball by the National Junior College Athletics Association. The last time we heard from Ramirez was back in June, when she signed a sports scholarship to play division one volleyball at Eastern Wyoming College in the U.S. A. Her first competitive season is now over and she was stunned to be so honored. Ramirez spoke to News Five via zoom.

Fatima Ramirez

Fatima Ramirez, Belizean Athlete

“I was very surprised because I didn’t even know that there were awards for this. I was just playing my game, doing my thing. And, when they called my name, I was like. “What? There were awards in the junior college division?”  So, I asked my coach what is this about. He said that every coach from each team votes on players, like different criteria, best player, player of the year, freshman of the year. So, each coach from every team we played, I got the most votes for freshman of the year, so I was happy that the coaches from each team recognized me and remembered me all the way up to the end of the season. So, like I made a mark on the coaches. Even if I was not a part of their teams, they saw me and they were like wow, she is a freshman, she is really good.”

Paul Lopez

“So tell us, what does it take to become freshman of the Year? What is the work behind that award?”

Fatima Ramirez, Belizean Athlete

“Honestly all I did, I played my game. I played as hard as I could. Obviously, in the beginning I had a little trouble with confidence, playing my game and the confidence. But, as the time went by I played with no fear, confidence. When they set me the ball, I hit the ball. They couldn’t stop me. Just play your game, don’t be scared, and don’t play safe. We got to play to win, you can’t play not to lose.”