More Than an Athlete

(This article was written by Roel Rodriguez and was featured in the March 2025 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine .) Only exceptional individuals are classified as extraordinary student athletes.  What identifies a young person as a successful student athlete? The word that comes to mind is balance . A successful student athlete has the uncanny ability and the determination to manage academics, sports, other extracurricular activities, and life.  Harlingen is home to a talented young woman who is the epitome of a successful student athlete. Once you see how much she has accomplished in her four years of high school, you will easily describe her as versatile and well-rounded. Headshot of Olivia Villarreal. Photo courtesy of Pixel Annie. Olivia Villarreal, a senior at Harlingen High School, is that incredible young woman. As a member of the prominent and winning Harlingen High School Tennis program, under the tutelage of Head Coach Jay Tanamachi, Olivia has demonstrated her skill on the tennis court and her love for the game. When Coach Tanamachi was asked about Olivia, he described her as “integral part of the two-time girls district championships during her sophomore and junior years.” He added that Olivia is a two-time Texas UIL 6A Region IV Tennis qualifier. The Harlingen Tennis Program recognized Olivia as the “Comeback Player of the Year” in 2023 after an ACL tear and surgery. Furthermore, she was recognized as the Harlingen Tennis Program’s “Best All-Around Player” in 2024. Olivia Villarreal playing tennis. Photo courtesy of Acord Photo. Olivia has been one of the top tennis players in the Harlingen Tennis Program for the past four years. Among her accomplishments are placing second in District 32-6A Girls’ Singles play; qualifying for Texas UIL 6A Regional Tournament in 2023; and qualifying for the Texas UIL 6A Regional Tournament in 2024. She was instrumental in leading Harlingen Tennis to two consecutive girls’ district tennis team titles in 2022 and 2023.   Coach Tanamachi added, “She’s one of the hardest working and honest kids on our team, in and out of the classroom.” For example, while playing for a medal in a tournament earlier this season, Olivia and her partner were losing to their opponents in the first set. Although they desperately needed points to win the game, Olivia called a tipped ball on herself, which gave her opponents the point and the win. As per Coach Tanamachi, even the opposing coach was surprised declaring, “Most kids wouldn’t call that on themselves.” (For 99% of the time, high school tennis tournaments do not have any line judges. Based on the honor system, players call their own lines.) Much is learned about a player’s character during their matches. Olivia Villarreal playing tennis. Photo by Acord Photo. Olivia, known for her honesty on the high school tennis circuit, is also perceived as someone who never quits. To illustrate that quality, she and her partner won their match even after calling that tipped ball on herself, resulting in a tournament medal. Coach Tanamachi concluded “Olivia Villarreal is the type of player all coaches want on their team because she’s not just a great player but a great example of how the game is supposed to be played.” Olivia’s abilities do not end here.   Here are just a few of Olivia’s accomplishments while at Harlingen High School: Currently ranked in the top of the Class of 2025 Serving as president of the Student Council and PTSA Served as secretary of her junior and sophomore classes, and vice-president of her freshman class Currently the Captain of Harlingen Varsity Cheer (has been a varsity cheerleader for three years) Served in the following capacities: “Pride and Patriotism” chair for Student Council, secretary of the Tennis Club, member of the National Honor Society, member of the HCISD Student Athlete Leadership Team, and member of the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD) Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board Olivia Villarreal in her HHS Cheer outfit. Photo courtesy of Pixel Annie. Olivia volunteers her free time at Valley Baptist Medical Center, Boys and Girls Club, Capable Kids, Rotary Interact, Valley Haven, Junior League KidFit and GEMS, Harlingen Marathon, and United States Tennis Association (USTA) Tournament. Olivia currently has more than 500 volunteer hours. Olivia is also dedicated to her faith and has been involved at St. Anthony Church for many years.   This is just a sample of what Olivia has accomplished thus far in her school and community, showing that she is from Harlingen High School where Cardinal Spirit Never Dies!    So, what’s next for Olivia Villarreal? One can easily see that she is destined to accomplish great things. Olivia Villarreal at the University of Texas at Austin. Photo by Dr. Bonnie Villarreal. For now, Olivia plans on attending the University of Texas in Austin, having been accepted to the College of Natural Science where she will major in Public Health.  The future for Olivia Villarreal is bright. As they say at the University of Texas at Austin, “What starts here changes the world.” Go change the world, Olivia!