They’re throwing partners. Warming up at practice and before games together. It’s been that way since they were three years old.
“Like we know each other,” said Miller senior Loghann Leivan.
“Even though we might want to kill each other sometimes,” said Miller senior Rachel Nunez. “I mean, it’s alright.”
It formed a sister-type of bond between the Lady Cardinals.
“If she messes up I’m going to tell her and if I mess up she is going to tell me,” Leivan said.
The life-long friends finish each other’s sentences.
“Rachel tripped me and I turn around and I go… ‘watch where you are going!’,” they both exclaimed.
“And then she tripped me,” Nunez said.
“She falls down and eats crap,” Leivan said.
“That was a good one,” Nunez said.
“It was the funniest thing ever,” Leivan said.
Miller’s softball program had not seen more than 11 wins in the spring season, until these two came along. Reaching 20 games in the win column their freshman year, but their talents expand beyond the diamond.
“I play volleyball for Rachel,” Leivan said.
“I play basketball for her,” Nunez said pointing at her teammate.
“It just works out like that and we all buy into each other,” Leivan said.
Nunez is a two-time all-state volleyball player. Leivan is a four-time all-state basketball player. They have competed in 11 seasons of varsity sports together, winning seven district titles.
“As a high school athlete, you can make your whole life about that sport,” Leivan said. “But at the end of the day it’s not really about the wins or losses, it’s about the experience and getting to just be there with your friends.”
Leivan will go on to play basketball at Evangel. Nunez says she plans to retire from sports.
For now, they are cherishing one last varsity season both suited up for the Lady Cardinals.
