HARLINGEN —In sports, suffering an injury is always tough to deal with. In some cases, an injury can sideline a player for an extended period of time or can even end a season.
When a player’s season ends due to an injury, it’s up to the player on how to handle it.
For Harlingen South senior third baseman Daniella Cavazos, she had to deal with a season-ending injury. And she’s done so by serving as a vocal team leader along with helping South’s coaching staff.
On March 16, Harlingen South was at Weslaco High. Cavazos, who was playing first base, tried reaching for a ball thrown at her when her arm got caught up with the runner. Cavazos later learned she suffered a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in her elbow, thus ending her season.
“I was sad that my season ended and it’s my senior year,” said Cavazos. “I love softball. I’ve played it since I was 5 years old. After the injury, I knew I had to help my team any way possible. I love my team and I’m so happy for them, and what they have accomplished so far.”
Cavazos has taken the negative and turned it into a positive by attending games and practices. She also helps the coaching staff in the dugout with stats or will even keep the scorebook.
Along with the book duties, Cavazos motivates her teammates in various ways, including coming up with different chants or even by just patting them on the back.
On the field, the Lady Hawks are alive and well in the playoffs and Cavazos has been there every step of the way. Meanwhile, Cavazos just may have found a little bit of coach in her.
“After high school, my plans are to attend Texas State Technical College, get my basics and then maybe transfer out,” said Cavazos. “I plan on majoring in education and getting into counseling. To be honest, I enjoy the coaching side of it; I like to share with the girls what I know or what I might see, so, hey, who knows? I might end up coaching one day.”
Cavazos still hasn’t fully recovered from her injury, but she is on the right track and no longer has to wear a brace.
“I’m not 100 percent just yet, but I’m getting there,” she said. “I can’t fully straighten my arm yet; it’s taking a long time to recover, but I have support from my family and my team.”
