The Collegian

Issue date: 4/22/05 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Karyn Gilbert Carmen Setness (left) and Christina Quitasol relax on the soccer field in their new Texas Southern soccer shirts in their final semester at San Joaquin Delta College.

In a couple of months, the dreams of sophomores Carmen Setness and Christina Quitasol are about to take flight, as both soccer players have received full scholarships to Texas Southern University.

The looming specter of such a big leap has Setness, a fullback, and Quitasol, a mid-fielder, enveloped in a jumble of emotions. Overriding all of the anxiety and unease is an anticipatory mood.

"Sure, I'm nervous about moving away to Texas, but I am also excited," said Quitasol. "This is a chance [for me] to discover myself as a person."

As expected, there are several parallels that run between the two players. For both Quitasol and Setness, what started out as a simple after-school activity has, over time, not only morphed into a life-changing endeavor. but also bled into other aspects of life.

"I couldn't imagine as a kid that soccer would take me this far in life. As a player I have become aggressive and strategic. I have become aware of the little things that can make or break a game. I guess that has helped me in other areas," said Setness.

"I started playing organized when I was six years old, and I never thought that soccer would become such a big part of my life," added Quitasol.

In a paradoxical sense, soccer only carves out part of the future story for the two Texas Southern University-bound players. Soccer is the vehicle of travel, but not the desired destination.

"I never looked at soccer as a career choice," said Quitasol. "Right now, I plan to major in physical therapy because of its ties to sports, but my ultimate goal is to transfer to medical school."

"Currently, I am looking at communications, but physical therapy remains an option," said Setness.

Separation from loved ones is an unavoidable side effect to the out-of-state scholarship opportunity, which is a sobering aspect that the two ladies are slowly easing into.

"Leaving will be really hard because I am close to my mom, so I am trying to mentally prepare for the move," says Setness.

"Even though my family has been very encouraging, it's going to be hard to leave my youngest sister," said Quitasol.

Behind success stories are positive shoves from a person or a group, which is something the ladies are all too willing to acknowledge.

"Flat out, I would not be here without my teammates or coaches," said Setness. "I would have been lost without their constructive criticism and overall help."

"My accomplishments are a reflection of my teammates' skill," said Quitasol. "I also can't thank coach (Lloyd) Ratto enough for the effort he made in selling my abilities to the coach of Texas Southern."

The fact that both players are making the move in unison should help to sooth any separation anxiety, helping to make what can be a jarring transition a little smoother.

"We will both probably lean on each other at times, which is definitely a comforting thought," says Setness.

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