Jumping from JuCo to Division I

Bailey Rozier’s soccer talent has garnered her recognition for years.

At Douglas High, Rozier was selected to the all-region team all four years, including first team in 2021.

After spending a year at Truckee Meadows Community College – in which she helped lead the Mighty Lizards to their first regional tournament appearance – Rozier again earned postseason honors after being selected for the all-conference second team.

At their postseason banquet, Rozier was named Team MVP.

It didn’t take Nevada first-year head coach Vanessa Valentine long to notice Rozier’s skillset.

“We wanted to make it very, very important to recruit inside the community,” said Valentine. “We were able to watch Bailey and we kept coming out. She was just so consistent. It was a no-brainer for us.”

For the Wolf Pack sophomore, the chance to play for her hometown school was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

“It was my dream. It’s so crazy to say that I accomplished it, but I’m not done yet. I have a lot more goals here. That was just step one,” Rozier said.

Her transition from high school to junior college soccer was smooth, in terms of her physical talent.

The main adjustment Rozier said she had to make was a mental one.

“It wasn’t too much of a jump for me speed-wise and play-wise. The biggest thing was changing the mental side of it and that’s what I did at TMCC. I found that belief in myself that I could get to the next level,” said Rozier. “I started going to church more. … I think the biggest thing; I just got signs I guess.”

(Nevada sophomore Bailey Rozier listens to instructions, during the Wolf Pack blue and white scrimmage Sunday. Rozier earned all-conference honors last season with Truckee Meadows Community College before joining Nevada in late July. / Carter Eckl)

Pushing for a starting spot

Rozier won’t walk into the starting lineup.

She admitted that’ll be an adjustment after dominating at every level she’s played at so far.

“Just to make an impact for myself. I want to try to earn a starting spot by the end of the season. If that doesn’t happen, when I get minutes on the field making an impact for my team,” Rozier said.

After her first two weeks with the program, Rozier says she expects to be used as a center back or defensive midfielder.

While it’s not the exact same position she played in high school or at TMCC, her soccer savvy leaves her with little doubt about her ability to succeed.

“I played that one a lot in club, so it’s not a huge difference for me. It’s definitely more running,” said Rozier. “That’ll be the biggest change is getting in that physical shape.”

Valentine pointed out where she would like to see Rozier continue growing on the pitch.

“One thing we are working on with her is having her options to know earlier. That way when she receives it, she’s not getting nailed and getting that ball picked off of her,” said Valentine. “I’ve already seen her soccer IQ increase.”

She made a point to note that in just two weeks Rozier’s growth has been “incredible.”

Rozier remains undecided on what she wants to study, but acknowledged some interest in education or kinesiology.

She becomes the first Douglas High graduate since 2012 to join the Nevada women’s soccer team and hopes to help open the door for future Tigers.

“I love it. In terms of Douglas, I hope it inspires younger girls to be like we have a program now where they can work and make it here too,” Rozier said.