REBEL CHECK-IN

IZZY PEREZ
UNLV WOMEN'S SOCCER 
KINESIOLOGICAL SCIENCES MAJOR

June 22, 2020

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV women's soccer was just getting its spring training season underway when everything came to a halt due to the pandemic. With a new coaching staff in place, not only would the team have to face change but also the unexpected adversity of the pandemic to go along with it. The Rebels made the most of their time away, staying connected through zoom meetings and social media and now are starting to return to campus to reunite and prepare for the upcoming fall campaign, their first under new leader and former Rebel Jenny Ruiz-Williams.

After redshirting her true freshman season in 2018, forward Izzy Perez saw her first action last fall, making eight starts and recording one goal. The redshirt sophomore will look to make an even bigger impact in 2020. Perez heads back to campus this week to begin voluntary workouts.

UNLVRebels.com had a chance this week to check in the San Ramon, California, native:

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UNLVRebels.com: Before the quarantine started you guys had began to train with the new coaching staff, what has impressed you the most about the new staff and how have they helped you guys with the transition?

Izzy: I think the new coaching staff has impressed me in so many ways. Their intensity and attention to detail is amazing and has made all the difference in our team. They made the transition super easy and made us all feel like we were all in it together. We are all growing so much from the staff and we are very lucky to have them!

UNLVRebels.com: How did you manage your time at home during quarantine to complete classes and stay in shape?

Izzy: During quarantine I made sure I had my planner out at all times to stay on top of due dates and assignments. I really liked that we had a schedule and zoom meetings every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to check in and make sure we were all holding ourselves accountable.

UNLVRebels.com:  What was the most challenging thing about it?

Izzy: The most challenging thing would probably be having to be stay on top of assignments. Online classes are tough because due dates can sneak up on you, so I made sure to always write due dates down.

UNLVRebels.com: What did you do to try and keep your soccer skills sharp?

Izzy: I have been going to the field to train with the ball a lot. I have been doing cone drills and making sure to practice things that I need to improve on as well. We also had challenges each week to test our skills, whether it be juggling, dribbling or trick shots, being around the ball all the time is super important.

UNLVRebels.com: What did you miss the most about being away from campus and the team?

Izzy: I miss being able to see my teammates and my coaches of course. I really miss seeing their faces every day! I honestly took that for granted so I am so excited to get back to the grind with them soon.

UNLVRebels.com: What are your plans for the summer? When will you be heading back to campus?

Izzy: I do not have many plans for this summer, I will be working and training in Vegas once I get back. I plan on getting back to campus on June 22, and I could not be more excited.

UNLVRebels.com: What are you looking forward to the most when you can get back to campus?

Izzy: I am really looking forward to being able to train with my teammates (safely) and get back to a normal schedule. I am also super excited to meet all the new incoming rebels!

UNLVRebels.com: What are you most excited about for the fall season?

Izzy: I am most excited about the level we are going to be playing at, I think we are going to be so hardworking and resilient. We have been through a lot this past year and I think our toughness will show on the field.

UNLVRebels.com: How has the team stayed connected being away from each other?

Izzy: We have all made sure to stay connected a lot. We meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and we also have our own zoom meetings to catch up with each other.
Despite the challenges that Coronavirus has brought on us, I think we all have done an excellent job of staying in the loop with our team.

UNLVRebels.com: Favorite TV show you've binge watched?

Izzy: Definitely Tiger King. That show was so insane, I could not stop watching it.

UNLVRebels.com: Cooked anything?

Izzy: I have tried one too many recipes from TikTok and not one has tried out as good as it looks in the original video. I am not a good cook so I think I am going to retire as a chef.

UNLVRebels.com: Learn or tried something new since you've been home?

Izzy: I started painting a lot to relieve stress and it has helped a bunch. I also have learned how to be more flexible. Our head coach Jenny calls it "Filosophy" because our team values and goals have to be flexible during this time. I think this has really shown in our team throughout quarantine.