When kinesiology junior Nyxalee Muñoz transferred to Midwestern from Tyler Junior College (TJC), she did not expect her experience to be so different. She came in as a transfer thinking it would be hard to earn her team’s trust, but she ultimately marked herself as a valuable player and a reliable leader on the field.
“I see myself as a leader. I feel like as a transfer I didn’t get a lot of respect, but I mean the more we play I think that’s what gives me respect in a way that is like they [the players] can trust me on the field,” Muñoz said.
Coming from a junior college, Muñoz found the transition to a four-year college came with its own challenges. In terms of her team, the midfielder from Odessa felt her relationship with the girls was more authentic because of how they connected with each other. At TJC, she says all the players were pushed to be closer, which was not the case at MSU.
“In Juco, I lived with all my teammates and everything, and like we were closer as friends, but at the end of the day, I think what makes a difference is like we meet each other in like a different way. It’s not forced, so I think it’s what makes it different here because you have to put effort into finding these friends, and you do it in your own way,” Muñoz said.
Muñoz explained that her team helped her change the way she looked at soccer.
“They made me more serious about my game. Because I know everyone who’s been on the team really wants to put everything aside and focus on soccer and win,” Muñoz said.
In turn, Muñoz brings her own energy to fuel her teammates when they need her support or determination.
“I think I impacted my team as a player and as a teammate. I’m always here, a shoulder to cry on, I’m here for encouragement and to fight. Everyone needs a little fight in their lives, so I think that’s what I bring,” Muñoz said.
The culture of the women’s soccer team is built on the friendships each of the players have created together. The bond they have brings them closer not only as teammates but also as a family. The opportunity to play for each other encourages Muñoz and her teammates to give their best every time they are on the field and be there for each other when things get tough.
Muñoz explains that it’s important for their team to be “each other’s backbones”
“Because if there is one little mistake, it gets in our head and it impacts the whole team, so we need a little heads up like ‘girl, you got it’ like I think that’s what we need, like a lot of encouragement,” Muñoz said.
The transfer from TJC has made a name for herself without a doubt, earning the trust of her teammates and standing out as a star player for the Mustangs.
Muñoz has closed out the season as the leading scorer for the Mustangs with eight total goals for this Fall. Her results have earned her the Lone Star Conference Newcomer of the Year title, as well as a place on the All-LSC Second Team list.
As a Kinesiology major, Muñoz says she is still unsure of what career she wants to pursue after graduating.
“It depends what I think about later on in my life. I don’t know if I want to do PT school or not. I might be a PT Assistant, but I don’t know if I want to be an actual physical therapist. We’ll find out later on,” Muñoz said.
No matter where life decides to take her, Muñoz is thankful for the support she gets from her role models: her mom and her grandparents. The most valuable lessons she has picked up from them is how to “be as a person” and understanding what “real love is,” which has transpired into her love for soccer and her love for the people around her.
