Posted: Nov 29, 2023
Joceline Martinez, Women's Volleyball
Tell us about how you first got involved with your sport. When did you first get interested and began participating? What is it about the sport that you enjoy so much?
I first got involved with volleyball the summer before high school. There were summer camps to start getting ready for the sport season and track wasn’t the most interesting to me. You run. That’s it. Literally how boring. And then I watched Haikyuu!! (a volleyball anime, 10/10 recommend). Volleyball looked so exciting and it still is. Every game, set, team, every practice is a new concoction of volleyball that I can break down and defeat. Because physically and mentally defeating your opponents feels absolutely amazing.
What got you here to Orange Coast College? Tell us about your journey to OCC.
My high school coach recommended Coach Chuck to me and that’s really all it took. Plus all the fast food on Harbor Blvd. Tell me where else has a McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Pollo Loco, Raising Cane’s, In-n-Out, and Chick-fil-A. I couldn’t help myself. And then, I left school. COVID-19, sick mom, grief, you name it, I had it. And OCC felt safe to me, where I could patch myself up to go even further.
If I asked your coach or teammates about what type of person you are on your team, what do you think they would say?
I’m not sure. Probably that I’m a good hitter. I’m really not sure.
One thing about the history of OCC Volleyball ... the athletes put in LOTS of work for success. Were you surprised at how much work is put into playing volleyball at a high level here at OCC? Take me through a weekly routine of what takes place when you're not competing.
I wasn’t surprised because why should that be surprising? If my college play looks like my high school then the problem is that. We do enough construction around here to know that this place has the funds, the means, to be better and do better. If anything, there could still be more that I can do. We practice for two hours, condition/lift for a while after, and still it could be more. I personally think the Althletic Trainers are the best part of athletics here. I go in for rehab constantly, I think they might be sick of me and my ‘boo-hoos’ at this point.
When you're not involved with your sport, what do you enjoy doing for fun? Any hobbies or interests and that keep you busy in your spare time?
I love to read and I love to write but I hate reading what I, myself, write. It’s a conundrum that’s stopping me from being a novelist ... thank you anxiety. I also like to sing. In the car, in the shower, I am performer for myself only and I have a lot of fun. Haven’t even fallen in the shower once yet and I dance pretty hard.
Who would be your all-time sports favorite athlete and why?
My all-time favorite sports athlete is Yuki Ishikawa. This man is one of the GOATs, literally. You just have to watch him play (which you can still do because I don’t think he’ll stop playing until they kick him off the court). He’s been a volleyball player since fourth grade and his career after that is more insane, it won’t fit in this little measly question. He’s my favorite with his talent, ability, drive, and looks because I think he’s really attractive. Yuki Ishikawa, if you’re reading this, call me.
Favorite sports team? Any sport you want ... who's your favorite team and why?
Japan’s Men's National Volleyball Team. I can’t help it, I always root for what I have seen as underdogs. Like, you should see the game they played against Iran and Brazil where you can obviously tell that the Japan’s team is smaller but they keep pace. They still win. Maybe it’s because I’m small for my own position of middle blocker but they’ve endeared me since I first saw them and the love has only grown since. Plus their defense is so stellar, watching them is a joy. Jordan, a setter on my team, has a jump serve that reminds of Nishida every time I see it.
Once your sports career is over, what do you want to do with your life, career-wise?
I’d like to be a teacher, I think. Maybe coaching on the side. As much as I try to be anything else, I am innately good with kids and patient enough to have a good effect. And teachers have made some of the biggest impacts on my life, maybe I could do the same for others. I’d like to just finish college first, though.
What's on your "Bucket List"??? Somewhere amazing to visit?? A Sports event to experience?? Whatcha got??
I’d like to win State. Oh and sing with Beyonce.
