IRRIGON — Life has not been a bed of roses for Alyssa Luna.

That might explain why the Irrigon senior demands so much from herself when it comes to school and sports — she wants something more.

Luna, who carries a 4.0 GPA, plays volleyball, basketball and softball for the Knights. She also has submitted her application for The Gates Scholarship, which is awarded to approximately 300 students nationwide each year.

“She wants to excel academically and well as athletically,” Irrigon girls basketball coach Mike Royer said. “What coach doesn’t like that? It’s a good example for the younger athletes.”

Luna’s sister, Karrizima, was valedictorian of her class (2019), as was her uncle Leon Luna. Leon won a Gates Scholarship in 2016.

“My whole high school career, I have pushed for a 4.0,” Luna said. “I’m glad I go to a small school and we have the teachers we do. I’ve made sacrifices. It’s hard, and I have not had it easy. I have put in a lot of work.”

Royer agrees.

“She is an impressive girl,” Royer said. “She has stayed focused in academics and athletics, and she will have some good scholarship opportunities. She is someone who will be successful in college because she has a good work ethic.”

Life took a sharp turn for Luna when she was in the fourth grade. Her mom Denise contracted MRSA and was in a coma for eight months. Luna and her sisters lived with their maternal grandparents for a year while their mom recovered.

“It took her three years to fully recover,” Luna said. “The flu could be deadly for her. With COVID, we have to be so careful.”

During her freshman year, Luna’s dad, Joel, went missing for two months.

The hardships have pushed Luna to make good decisions now and for her future.

“We have always had to work for things,” she said. “I have always pushed myself to be better.”

That starts with having a positive outlet with sports.

She’s a middle hitter in volleyball, and even though she’s just 5-foot-7, she plays post for the Knights. In softball, she is a catcher.

“I used to be a first baseman, but one day my sister volunteered me to play catcher,” Luna said. “Now, you won’t catch me playing anything else.”

She was broken-hearted when spring sports were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We thought it would be over in two weeks,” Luna said. “Two days before our first game, it all got canceled. We didn’t go back to school. Then it hit me — it won’t be OK. I cried. I had people telling me this is life, and they are right. But I’m still a kid — you look forward to things.”

Luna said she is grateful that their health is being put first, but she also wants things to go back to normal.

“I want to be on the court one more time with my teammates,” she said. “There is a possibility, but I don’t want it to be taken away again.”

Softball is an option in college for Luna, but if she were to earn a Gates Scholarship, she would go to the University of Oregon.

“It’s a school I have always wanted to go to,” she said. “I want to be a nurse. My aunt is an ICU nurse, and another works in labor and delivery. I am a huge fan of ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’”

Whatever happens, Luna is sure to find a silver lining.

Favorite sport to play and why?

It would have to be softball. Being the catcher, I control the game. I like to be a leader.

Favorite sport to watch and why?

Baseball. You can relate on a different level. You hear the parents say things, but as a player, you know they are wrong.

Favorite activity when not playing sports?

I just like to hang out with my family. Every Sunday, we go play cards with my grandparents.

What is your favorite moment in high school athletics so far?

My sophomore year, a girl quit the volleyball team and I got moved up to varsity. We made it to the district playoffs and beat Vale in five sets and went to state. We had lost to them twice during the regular season. There were some long rallies and we were so tired.

A fun fact about you that few people know?

I live in Boardman and go to school in Irrigon.