Chouteau’s Nahomi Talavera
By Elizabeth Contreras
Spikes, sets, and teamwork are just part of the story for senior Nahomi Talavera. Central to her experience on the Chouteau High School volleyball team are her faith, the strong sisterhood she shares with teammates, and her commitment to give glory to God.
“The most important thing for us is remembering why we play and who we play for,” she says. “We want everything we do on the court to honor God.”
Talavera says the Wildcats volleyball team is more like family with a foundation built on love and a shared purpose. For her the bond is unbreakable, where victories and struggles are faced together.
“We absolutely love each other with our whole hearts and that’s more important than winning any game,” she explains.
Now a setter, Talavera takes pride in playing her role in the Wildcats achievements.
“I most enjoy getting to play a small part in my team’s success,” says Talavera. That success included staying ranked as the No. 1 team in 3A volleyball for two weeks in a row, an accomplishment she says she is most proud of.
Behind those successes, however, is the hard work Talavera puts into preparation. She ensures her body is rested and ready, but she says the true difference comes from how she and her teammates prepare their hearts and minds before stepping on the court.
“My teammates and I gather for a devotional that one of us prepares the night before,” shares Talavera. “This is so that we can go into a game with the right mindset and make sure we put God above all else.”
For the Wildcats, preparation is the foundation for facing the challenges that accompany such a demanding sport. Talavera believes that keeping the right mindset is critical for both individual and team success.
“The most challenging part of volleyball is making sure you are mentally in the right headspace,” Talavera explains. “Volleyball is a mental game, so you can’t let one bad thing drag you down because it affects the whole team. That’s why it’s so important that you build a community, so that when you are struggling you can lean on your team.”
Through the challenges, Talavera says her biggest inspiration has been her teammates. “Each and every single one of them has their own personal struggles, but they never let that affect how they play because when they get on that court all they have to worry about is being kids who are playing a sport that they love,” she shares.
Talavera says she wouldn’t be where she is without the support of her coaches and parents. “Coach Berk and Coach Ross have always pushed me to be the best possible version of myself,” she shares. And her parents, she says, “Without them, nothing would be possible.”
Looking back, what matters most to Talavera and the Wildcats isn’t their wins, but rather the faith they all obediently share. “Win or lose, we do it together and give all the glory to God.”
