First-year women’s volleyball recruit Brooke Maynez is looking to build upon her championship resume as she seeks to help lead the Lions back to the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference championship. 

The team claimed their first shot at the NEWMAC championship in 2019.—lost against Babson 3-0

Maynez, a middle blocker from Las Cruces, New Mexico, said she plans to join Emerson’s sports communication program and chose the Lions after weighing her options. 

“I made a pros and cons list,” Maynez said in a phone interview. “The media realm of Emerson really stuck out to me because of the notable alumni that come out of Emerson, and how each student is so successful.”

Her father, Alex Maynez, spoke highly of his daughter’s determination.

“She got where she’s at today based off of her love for the game and her dedication,” Alex Maynez said over the phone. “When she got the announcement of acceptance, it was a good day for her. We were happy for her because we knew it was on the top of her list.”

Brooke said she wants to make an impact whenever she gets on the court by being versatile and playing any position the coaches ask of her. 

“The goals I had moving forward would be to ultimately just help my team out in any way possible,” Maynez said. “Just be flexible to wherever coach needs me and just perform and do my job.”

Aside from performing on the court, Maynez said she believes her actions off the court are just as important. 

“I actually went down for a visit in February and met the whole team,” Maynez said. “Just building that team chemistry, even prior to going to campus [is super important]. If we don’t have chemistry on or off the court, then we’re not gonna succeed.”

Even though the pandemic delayed her season, she never stopped putting in the work. Her club coach, Magali Rodriguez, said Maynez is very focused when she steps onto the court and continues to build on her strengths—blocking chief among them. 

“Brooke has always been very receptive to any type of information coaching instructions,” Rodriguez said in a phone interview. “She’s always ready to listen, and ready to improve and I would say that most of our highlights came from those amazing blocks, she was a beast.”

Maynez said she brings more to the volleyball team than her blocking ability. 

“I think I’m bringing my leadership skills and my high intensity,” she said. “I always like to play with 110 percent intensity going into the game. I always have a good, positive mindset, even being on the bench cheering on my team.”

Alex Maynez praised his daughter’s ability to come through in the most important moments, when her team needs her the most. 

“She always delivers when it’s time to deliver,” he said. “She is able to play through pressure moments, always wants to be in the game when there’s a key moment.”

Maynez recalled a moment when, with the state championship on the line, Brooke made a key block to swing the game’s momentum. 

“Brooke has kept on blocking her and flipped it around to an advantage on our side,” he said. 

While they weren’t able to take home the trophy that year, Maynez’s high school team won it all her senior year. 

“We did get that state championship and I’m glad to go out of high school with a bang.”

At Emerson, Brooke Maynez said she is looking forward to continuing to bolster her skill on the court in the hopes of bringing similar glory to the Lions. 

“I am going in there to gain and help the team again to achieve another title shot,” Maynez said.