After a remarkable high school career at Vega, Jaz Martinez will begin her first season with the Amarillo College volleyball team later this month.
After a remarkable high school volleyball career in the Texas Panhandle, one of the area's top players didn't have to travel far for her next chapter.
Jaz Martinez made an impact not only on the court, but as a multi-sport athlete for Vega during her career with the Longhorns. After competing for a Class 2A program around 35 miles west of Amarillo, the 2025 graduate joined Amarillo College's roster, where she will play alongside a number of Texas Panhandle athletes under the tutelage of Scott Sandel in the program's fourth season.
Even coming from a small town, the incoming freshman has taken to college athletics quickly, and could be a key player during the Badgers' 2025-26 campaign.
While the level of competition may be higher than Martinez experienced at Vega, the former Longhorns' star has the work ethic, and athleticism to shine at the next level.
Leading the Longhorns
At Vega, Martinez excelled in volleyball, basketball and track.
As a senior, Martinez earned Amarillo Globe-News Super Team recognition, tallying 33 double-doubles, 532 digs, 478 kills and 73 aces. The Longhorns' star was also named District 1-2A MVP and honored as a Golden Spread All-Star for her efforts in 2024.
Martinez's impressive final season saw the 5-foot-9 outside hitter reach 1,000 career digs. Now, Martinez looks to turn in similar production at the collegiate level.
"Just go in, do your best, have a work ethic," Martinez said "Just do what I did in high school and go from there."
To go along with her remarkable statistical output, Martinez led Vega to the Class 2A Division II Region I final, where the Longhorns fell to Windthorst.
Through her success in high school, Martinez's confidence grew, which has been crucial early in her college career.
"Just having a work ethic and being able to know that I can outwork anyone in the gym," Martinez said "Being able to know that I'm supposed to be here and I'm a college athlete."
On the track, Martinez placed sixth at the UIL state meet in high jump as a junior and qualified for the finals of the 100-meter hurdles at the Amarillo Relays in 2025, beating out competition from multiple Class 4A and 5A programs.
A new challenge
With her high school career in the rear-view mirror, Martinez said she is looking forward to a new challenge at Amarillo College.
Hailing from a town of less than 1,000 residents, Martinez will have to compete for playing time with talented athletes from around the state.
"It's a lot more competitive," Martinez said. "You go out every day, you have to fight for your spot. You're not going to just have it handed to you. In high school, it's a lot of, 'Well, she's a senior, so she gets to play here,' but (in college) it doesn't matter what grade level you are. If you're going to outwork someone, then you get that spot."
Despite the changes, though, Martinez and her coach both agreed that the former Vega standout has handled the transition well. Sandel believes that the true freshman is talented enough to make an impact for his team, and that Martinez's athleticism has shown early in her time with the Badgers.
"It's a growth process with Jazlene," Sandel said. "The Class 2A level, you know, is quite a bit different. College is a much faster level. So athletically, she's great. It's just a matter of, you got to get her and coach her up. She'll pick it up pretty quick. So just understanding, you know, what it's going to take to play at this level, and the speed, so that's just more of adjustment. She'll be fine. She's doing a great job."
Martinez and company begin their season with a pair of scrimmages at Cisco College on Aug. 13 before starting the regular season on Aug. 22 with a four-game stint at the New Mexico Military Institute Classic.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Vega graduate preps for freshman year with Amarillo College volleyball
Category: General Sports
