With countless victorious volleyball seasons and a triumphant first tennis season, Lexi Rodriguez was an undeniable candidate for a Roscoe Eades Award. Rodriguez was the co-recipient of the Female Roscoe Eades 2021 Award. Her strong work ethic, motivation, and drive to achieve propelled her to be an exemplary athlete. Whatever court she was on, Rodriguez proved to be fierce competition. As a varsity member of the volleyball team for three consecutive years, Rodriguez served as the libero position on the court. Her job as libero was to play as a back row defensive player. Rodriguez constantly had to be on her A-game, passing and controlling the ball in every match. “You could always count on her to remain calm and lead by example,” Grace Gould ’20 said. Gould was a previous teammate of Rodriguez and accomplished two state championships with her. In the comeback game of the 2018 state semi-finals against Joliet Catholic, Rodriguez expertly fulfilled her duty as libero and proved to be a strong leader. Gould said, “We both dove for the same ball and I was sure it was hitting the ground. Lexi came out of nowhere to save it.”Rodriguez began playing volleyball at a young age. “My sister inspired me to play volleyball because I was always at her tournaments, watching her play,” Rodriguez said. Her sister, Kaylee Martin ’17, played volleyball all throughout high school and went on to Northern Illinois University first and then Illinois State University before settling at Clemson University to finish her career. “She was my biggest role model, so I wanted to be just like her,” Rodriguez said.With Martin inspiring her little sister and always pushing her to be the best possible player, a large portion of Rodriguez’s motivation for success was driven by her family.“There were a lot of people who constantly tried to bring me down. My family always reminded me to keep working hard and prove everyone wrong,” Rodriguez said. She always strived to make her family proud, no matter what game or tournament she was competing in. Part of what made Rodriguez such a great athlete was her drive and passion to keep achieving her goals. Her work ethic and self-discipline enabled her to capture two back-to-back state championships. “It was an amazing feeling to represent Sterling and have the whole community support us,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez traveled to the IHSA 3A Volleyball State Competition both her sophomore and junior year, coming back with the first place title both times. Because of her position, Rodriguez was a key factor to these victories. Rodriguez was in charge of the back row and was the only person positioned there the whole game. Hannah Jacoby ’21, a former teammate of Rodriguez, not only emphasized the skill and talent she had during these games, but the support she shared with her team. “During the state tournaments, I would notice how Lexi would calm her teammates when the sets would get scary,” Jacoby said. “She was constantly cheering on her teammates.” Although volleyball was a huge part of her athletic career, Rodriguez decided to play tennis her senior year. After COVID-19 hit in the spring of 2020, the 2020-2021 volleyball season was postponed, along with a postseason cancellation. With no postseason, she joined the S.H.S. tennis team and the transition from sport to sport was an easy one for an athlete like Rodriguez. Rodriguez played doubles a majority of the season, but after multiple successful games and open spots, she secured a singles position at sectionals. Dale Dykeman, her volleyball coach for three consecutive years, noted, “There are a lot of crossover skills that allowed her to be great at tennis.” The similar arm motions and ball strikes mixed with her ability to read and react to swings allowed for Rodriguez to excel in tennis. “Lexi can read the opposing player's body mechanics and react before, or simultaneously, to the ball being struck, plus can change direction quickly,” Dykeman said. “She’s an athlete that is truly special.” Her family also encouraged her to join tennis. After the volleyball season was postponed, Rodriguez still wanted to remain active in the fall. Her father enjoyed both watching and playing tennis and suggested she give it a try. “He believed that with hard work, I could teach myself how to play,” Rodriguez said. “So, I decided to join tennis and challenge myself to take on a sport that was new to me.” Rodriguez’s attitude allowed her to be a fierce competitor, great teammate, and an ideal Roscoe Eades candidate. It didn’t matter what sport she was playing, Rodriguez would compete with the same level of intensity and skill. “I really believe she would excel at any sport she played,” Kelly Reynolds said. Reynolds was Rodriguez’s tennis coach during her senior year, and experienced her athletic presence first hand. “Her strong work ethic and amazing character is what personifies a Sterling Golden Warrior athlete.” As a four-time national finalist, three-time national champion in the open division, a Sterling High School record-setter for single-match digs, single-season digs and career digs, with many other awards including being a member of the 2019 USA 18U National Team that won the FIVB Volleyball Girls' U18 World Championship in Egypt, Rodriguez will continue to uphold her athletic title as she continues her academic and volleyball career at the University of Nebraska.