Chapin Volleyball 2020
Leave A Legacy
Chapin senior volleyball player Allison Mata draws hope from grandfather's COVID-19 fight
Felix F. Chavez
El Paso Times
Felix F. Chavez
El Paso Times
Allison Mata didn't take the usual route to being a standout high school athlete.
And in this most unusual sports season, the Chapin High senior has found hope, strength and inspiration in her grandparents' fight against COVID-19.
Mata didn't have as much experience in volleyball or softball as most leading up to high school.
However, Mata has established herself as a key contributor in the Chapin Huskies volleyball and softball programs.
"I went out for volleyball as a freshman and thought I should just go out for softball as well," said Mata, who plays middle blocker in volleyball and plays third base and pitches for the softball team.
"It's been a great decision. I love both sports so much and I've grown so much as a person and athlete," she said. "I didn't know if I'd make the volleyball team, but I did and that gave me confidence. I went out for softball and to the opportunity to play as well. It was a great feeling to make both those teams and I've had a lot of special moments in both sports."
Many athletes today play club sports in at least one sport and sometimes multiple sports during their offseason from school sports. But the 5-foot-9 Mata primarily sticks to playing for Chapin and has begun to attract college interest in volleyball.
"Allison has tremendous upswing in her career," Huskies volleyball coach Joe Morales said. "She's getting better and better each year. She played a great deal last year as a junior and this year she is our No. 1 middle blocker and has stepped up as a leader and great player for us. When she's playing well, she opens things for our outside hitters. College coaches have reached out about her and I think she will do great at the next level."
Mata has had some big matches this season with 16 kills in a four-set win against Burges and 10 kills and two blocks in a five-set win against El Paso High.
The Huskies enter this week's play 6-0 in District 1-5A and is ranked No. 1 in the city by the El Paso Times.
"I just try to be a leader for our team and be the best I can be," she said. "We have a veteran team, we had success last year winning two playoff matches and we felt we could do great things this year. It's been tough because of the pandemic, but we are making the most of this season and enjoying every moment we can. We want to have another strong finish to the season and hopefully the future in college means I'll be playing volleyball and if possible, softball as well."
Family, love and inspiration
Mata draws great inspiration and hope from family, particularly her grandfather, Roberto Mata. Roberto spent nearly 50 days in an El Paso hospital earlier this year battling COVID-19.
"My grandfather means so much to me. As a young kid, he always told me to be hopeful and upbeat," Allison said. "He was an athlete as well and always supported me. He inspired me to do great things. It was hard to see him in the hospital and there wasn't anything we could do for him but support him and pray for him. He showed his fighting spirit and he's doing well now."
Allison's grandmother, Mary Alice, and uncle Arturo, also contracted the virus and did not go through the ordeal that her grandfather did but Allison has an even stronger love for her family.
"I'm grateful for my family every day and all the support I've been given from them," Allison said.
"They have always gone to my games and even now that they can't because of the virus, they watch the games on live stream," she said. "I've been uplifted by my uncle and grandparents. My uncle and grandmother are also doing much better and that's what really matters."
And in this most unusual sports season, the Chapin High senior has found hope, strength and inspiration in her grandparents' fight against COVID-19.
Mata didn't have as much experience in volleyball or softball as most leading up to high school.
However, Mata has established herself as a key contributor in the Chapin Huskies volleyball and softball programs.
"I went out for volleyball as a freshman and thought I should just go out for softball as well," said Mata, who plays middle blocker in volleyball and plays third base and pitches for the softball team.
"It's been a great decision. I love both sports so much and I've grown so much as a person and athlete," she said. "I didn't know if I'd make the volleyball team, but I did and that gave me confidence. I went out for softball and to the opportunity to play as well. It was a great feeling to make both those teams and I've had a lot of special moments in both sports."
Many athletes today play club sports in at least one sport and sometimes multiple sports during their offseason from school sports. But the 5-foot-9 Mata primarily sticks to playing for Chapin and has begun to attract college interest in volleyball.
"Allison has tremendous upswing in her career," Huskies volleyball coach Joe Morales said. "She's getting better and better each year. She played a great deal last year as a junior and this year she is our No. 1 middle blocker and has stepped up as a leader and great player for us. When she's playing well, she opens things for our outside hitters. College coaches have reached out about her and I think she will do great at the next level."
Mata has had some big matches this season with 16 kills in a four-set win against Burges and 10 kills and two blocks in a five-set win against El Paso High.
The Huskies enter this week's play 6-0 in District 1-5A and is ranked No. 1 in the city by the El Paso Times.
"I just try to be a leader for our team and be the best I can be," she said. "We have a veteran team, we had success last year winning two playoff matches and we felt we could do great things this year. It's been tough because of the pandemic, but we are making the most of this season and enjoying every moment we can. We want to have another strong finish to the season and hopefully the future in college means I'll be playing volleyball and if possible, softball as well."
Family, love and inspiration
Mata draws great inspiration and hope from family, particularly her grandfather, Roberto Mata. Roberto spent nearly 50 days in an El Paso hospital earlier this year battling COVID-19.
"My grandfather means so much to me. As a young kid, he always told me to be hopeful and upbeat," Allison said. "He was an athlete as well and always supported me. He inspired me to do great things. It was hard to see him in the hospital and there wasn't anything we could do for him but support him and pray for him. He showed his fighting spirit and he's doing well now."
Allison's grandmother, Mary Alice, and uncle Arturo, also contracted the virus and did not go through the ordeal that her grandfather did but Allison has an even stronger love for her family.
"I'm grateful for my family every day and all the support I've been given from them," Allison said.
"They have always gone to my games and even now that they can't because of the virus, they watch the games on live stream," she said. "I've been uplifted by my uncle and grandparents. My uncle and grandmother are also doing much better and that's what really matters."
Congratulations to Amber Soto for being named to the All-State and All-Star Legacy Team by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.