NADINE ORONOZ / 2022-23 Female Athlete of the Year

A standout at the court and on the beach,  sophomore Nadine Oronoz has been named the 2022-23 Rio Hondo College Female Student-Athlete of the Year for her impressive accomplishments for the Roadrunners.

It's been a long journey for Oronoz, who’s been a two-sport star for head coach Teddi Esko’s volleyball programs. Originally out of Southlands Christian High School in Rowland Heights, Oronoz arrived at Rio Hondo prior to the start of the fall 2019 indoor volleyball season but suffered a knee injury that required surgery.

Through hard work, rehabilitation, and the commitment to return, Oronoz was finally able to make her way back to the court by the spring of 2020.  However, due to the pandemic, the college closed down and the volleyball program did not return to campus until June of 2021.

To keep her student-athletes connected and engaged, Esko ran online workouts over Zoom for a year and a half that Oronoz attended each and every one. Upon the return to in-person activity, Esko says she immediately took a leadership role and helped guide the program to great success.

“Our program mission is ‘The Rio Way’ in that our players not only excel on the court but in the classroom as well, said Esko. “We take pride in our academics and athletics, focusing on character, culture, commitment and a championship mindset.

“Nadine has embodied ‘The Rio Way’ in all facets and it has been an absolute pleasure having her lead the way for both the indoor and beach volleyball teams during her time at Rio Hondo College. I am very proud of what Nadine has accomplished at Rio and know she will continue to succeed. Her future is bright!”

Oronoz was a two-year starter and team captain for both the indoor and beach volleyball squads. During the fall 2022 indoor season, Oronoz was named first-team All-South Coast Conference for the second time. She helped lead the Roadrunners to a historic No. 12 state-ranking, a second-place South Coast Conference finish, and helped lead the squad to the second round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs.

On the sand, Oronoz was a member of the Roadrunners’ No. 1 doubles team, qualified for the South Coast Conference Pairs Tournament, and helped lead Rio Hondo to the Southern California team playoffs for the first time. She was also a two-time All-SCC honoree.

While at Rio Hondo, she has compiled a 4.0 grade point average and will graduate this spring. She is committed to Whittier College where she will continue her academic and volleyball career for the nearby Poets.

Oronoz snaps a string of two consecutive women’s soccer players to earn the honor, most recently by Jackie Marin (2021-22) and Serina Vargas (2019-20). Due to COVID-19, Rio Hondo did not participate in athletics during the 2020-21 season.