Iowa State's Genesis Miranda has mind on Puerto Rico

AMES — Iowa State volleyball player Genesis Miranda was scrolling through Facebook, watching and searching for posts in real-time as Hurricane Maria tore its way through her home country of Puerto Rico.

As she searched Facebook, she came across a post. It was about her hometown of Toa Baja, a city on the northern coast of Puerto Rico. Accompanying the post was a picture.

The picture was of her house.

'I didn't even know that it was my house,' Miranda said. 'I didn't even know it was my family.

'I couldn't sleep at all.'

Miranda, whose first name is pronounced Hen-a-sis, went to volleyball practice the next day, trying to take her mind off the hurricane.

'... I didn't know about my family at all,' she said. 'I just tried to focus on volleyball but I couldn't so I started crying in practice.'

She wasn't able to practice the Wednesday or Thursday after the hurricane hit. But through it all her coaches and teammates were supporting her.

Last year before the NCAA tournament, Miranda, an Evansville transfer, said, 'This is why I came to Iowa State, to experience this feeling.'

Now she has a new reason.

'(My teammates) were very supportive,' Miranda said. 'The coaches, they were asking me every day if I need help and everything.

'I'm really glad I'm here in this program.'

Finally, after about a week, Miranda got an update on her family. While nearly everyone in Puerto Rico didn't have power or cellular service, the Mirandas' neighbor did.

He called Miranda and told her all was well.

Just recently, she was able to get in touch with her family.

'When I talked to them I was like, 'Oh my God, Mom how are you?'' Miranda said. 'My mom was like, 'I was trying to call you.' I said, 'Oh you guys are fine, I really want to go to Puerto Rico and help and bring you some food.''

Miranda's family and neighbors shared what food they had left. But none of them had any batteries or power.

'I was relieved that they were OK but I was still nervous because they didn't have food and other stuff,' Miranda said.

Coach Christy Johnson-Lynch has been amazed by Miranda and her mentality through it all.

'I think she's had a wonderful attitude and continues to work hard,' Johnson-Lynch said. 'I'm really proud of her for how she's been able to — I'm not talking just volleyball-wise — show a lot of resilience and perseverance and keeping her chin up despite the tough time.'

Iowa State is having a Latin night on Wednesday for the match against Baylor. The athletics department still is discussing plans, but Miranda said they talked about doing something to help Puerto Rico.

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