By Lisa McMahan
Whether it is on their family ranch in eastern Oregon or the courts of Chiles, they work and play as a team.
Maria and Jessica Clemens are sisters and best friends, but they have also been teammates for most of their lives.
The duo seemed destined to become athletes. Their mother competed in track and field at Oregon State University, and their father, John Clemens, played football at both OSU and Portland State University.
"From the time we could walk, we were playing together," senior Maria said.
The sisters overcame some of the limitations that come with growing up in a small town like Burns, Ore. by playing games around the ranch.
"They never really participated in a lot of sports when they were really young because we were so far out," John said.
The sisters did not play together on an organized athletic team until their father stepped in when Maria was in the fourth grade and Jessica in third.
"My dad started his own little basketball team," junior Jessica said. "It was some of our friends and Maria and me."
Later, he put together a boy's basketball team and added his daughters to the roster.
"We were sixth and seventh graders playing against these eighth grade boys," said Jessica with a laugh. "What father would do that?"
The sisters, who are 17 months apart, went on to compete in volleyball, basketball and track and field throughout high school.
Although John realized Maria and Jessica were athletically gifted from a young age, he felt that it was most important to teach them how to be good sports on and off the court.
"You can just go too far with sports these days and forget about the true aspect of why we're there," John said.
Sportsmanship and hard work are two qualities that are instilled in each of his five children. Maria and Jessica's older brother, Kellen, played football at the University of Oregon and is now playing professionally for the New York Jets.
"I've always looked up to Kellen and wanted to work as hard as he does," Jessica said. "He is definitely a big influence on my athletic career."
After playing three sports a year together for three years, the sisters thought it might be time for a break. Maria moved to UP to play volleyball and Jessica finished out her senior year at Burns High School, but the women quickly realized they belonged on the same court.
"I didn't want her to follow, and she didn't really want to follow me," Maria said. "After a year of not being together, I was like, 'OK, you need to come.'"
Her younger sister accepted scholarships at UP for both volleyball and basketball.
"It's just nice to have someone out there that you're so close to," Maria said. "Jess knows exactly how to get me motivated."
Playing together benefited Maria and Jessica, but it was also convenient for the rest of their family, who could make one six-hour trip and see both daughters play, then return to their busy life on the ranch.
"It was kind of my dream come true," their father Jon said. "I was hoping that they would go together because of the special talent they have playing together."
Their relationship has made an impact on the team as well.
"They have the utmost respect not only for one another, but also for their other teammates," senior Kaylyn Jones said. "Our team would not be as talented or tough without the contribution both of them have put forth."
Although they are grateful for the time they've had to live and play together, they recognize that next year will be an adjustment, but it's one with which they are familiar.
"I think it's going to be a lot like my senior year of high school," Jessica said. "I felt at home on the volleyball court with Maria - there will be something missing."
Their final season as teammates is now over and Maria will graduate in the spring with a degree in elementary education, but they plan on staying close - both literally and figuratively.
"I'm going to get my master's in teaching and education," Maria said. "Next year I'm going to try and stay somewhere close so I can watch her senior year."
