For so many people in Ozark the subject is still tough to talk about. “Josie was a very feisty person on the court,” said Macy Humble, a senior on the Ozark volleyball team, while fighting back tears. “She was a very go-get-it girl.”
As a freshman, Josie Orellana was a promising multi-role player for the Tigers. “The plan was for her to play varsity her sophomore, junior, and senior season,” said Adeana Brewer, Ozark’s head coach.
But later that year Josie was diagnosed with Leukemia. After sitting out two seasons Josie was preparing to make her return this year as a senior.
“She dreamt of playing Ozark varsity and that was always her goal to get back to this,” said Frank Orellana, Josie’s father.
But tragedy struck the Orellana family and the Ozark community when, just before Christmas, Josie died of complications stemming from a bone marrow transplant. “There’s definitely been good days and bad days,” Macy said. “Even still, I still struggle with missing her. Spending the good times together. Just playing volleyball and peppering with her. Because she was my pepper partner.”
“She was a very driven girl and I just wish everyone could have seen what she could have accomplished,” Orellana added.
At their first home game the team unveiled new jerseys they’ll wear throughout the season. Purple, for Josie’s favorite color. With orange numbers for Leukemia awareness. The team also presented Josie’s framed jersey to Frank, Josie’s mother Traci, and her brother Marcus. “We want them to feel like this is a special senior season for Josie as well,” Brewer said. “Because she’s not with us in person but she’s with us.”
“The outpouring of support has been very helpful but it’s still a daily struggle,” Orellana said. “And it always will be.”
The players and students showed up wearing t-shirts with the team’s motto this season: Fight like Josie. “Her teammates are doing a good job and they recognize that that’s something she brought to the court when they played together,” Brewer said. “And they are doing that for Josie.”
Macy agreed. “I think whenever we step on the court not only tonight, but every other game, we always choose to fight just like Jo did.”
