In a week of Homecoming Javelina Action, volleyball all-star Ayanna Jackson and senior wide receiver Ryan Martinez earned IBC Bank player of the week honors.
Martinez, a Kingsville native, and has been a part of the Javelina football team since 2017. Currently, Martinez is leading the Hogs in every receiving category but he earned player of the week for his performance in the homecoming loss to West Texas A&M. Martinez had his second career 100-yard game, the first also coming against West Texas, on 11 receptions with one touchdown along with a 39-yarder that set up another score. Martinez when asked about receiving the reward was honored to be recognized but is more focused on the team’s success as the Javelinas are sitting at 4-4 in the regular season.
“We all work hard at the end of the day and I’m glad my talents were recognized but we have a bigger picture to look at as these last two weeks are going to determine a lot of us,” Martinez said.
Jackson earned player of the week honors for second time in her young career as a Javelina. Jackson knows the pressure it takes to be a top player in a tough Division II conference, but she relies on her team to keep the motor pushing.
“I do feel pressure to keep playing at a high level, but it’s not overwhelming because I play with really good girls on the team, so it’s feels like we’re all trying to balance the feeling together,” she said.
Jackson earned her honors this week in the loss to Eastern New Mexico as she tacked on 17 kills to her already huge total of 181 kills on the season. Those kills set a new season high for her while also being her second-best rate of her career.