Iris Rodriguez. Remember the name? Iris spent two years playing at Wenatchee Valley College before finishing her career at Corban University. As a student, Iris was named an NFCA NWAC All-American, was a two-time East Region First Team All-Region selection, East Region MVP, and WVC Female Athlete of the Year. Iris is now Coach Rodriguez, currently serving in her first season as WVC's head softball coach. Coach Rodriguez spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach for the Division 1 Portland State softball team, helping lead them to three Big Sky tournament appearances and one Big Sky Championship title.
At WVC, Iris has pulled off what some last fall thought was unthinkable. WVC Softball is headed to the 2022-2023 NWAC Softball Championship Tournament, in Portland, Oregon this week. A sophomore-driven squad led by NWAC All East Region players Kaya Enriquez (catcher), Megan Smit (outfield), Maya McGuire (outfield), and Taylor Files (pitcher) are looking to make some noise in the post season. No one is prouder of these student athletes than their head coach.
"My goal when I first got this job was to win more games than last year," Coach Rodriguez said. "I had to remind myself if we win more than last year, that's an accomplishment. Once I started to see our work displayed in the games, I started to question 'Why can't we make it?' Now this team has exceeded that goal. This program had a history of being at the NWAC tournament, for many consecutive years. So, after not making the tournament, as a program, for the last 5 years – this is a very proud feeling!"
The student athletes shared Coach Rodriguez's excitement and pride.
"I felt grateful more than anything," said Macy Cordon, a sophomore playing infield. "Knowing our entire team will have the experience none of us has had or felt and we get to do it together? That is the best part. We have fought to get here, and we will continue to fight until it's over. No one saw us coming!"
"Our team's strongest attribute has been our team chemistry by far," added Makayla Sanchez, a sophomore playing pitcher and infield. "I believe that our respect and love for each other has made this team goal even more achievable. The dynamic changes a lot when you can play with people you really care about."
The WVC softball program is back and in great hands. Head Coach Iris Rodriguez, Assistant Coach Matt Files, Volunteer Coach Shelly Pflugrath and the Knights will leave for the tournament mid-week. We wish them all the best, but we are already so grateful and proud of all their efforts this season. The Knights start tournament play on Thursday, May 18. Please check our athletics website, gowvc.com, for bracket play information and times.
Go Knights!
