A tale of rescue from a Fla. floor collapse

As a teenager, volleyball was her life. She played beach volleyball on both her high school and competitive travel team teams. She sincerely apologized to her coach from her hospital bed, where she had multiple surgeries on her broken femur.

"I said, ‘Let’s focus on you right away and not volleyball," said Amy Morgan, club coach. She described Gonzalez as extremely determined and passionate in her pursuit of her goals.

Gonzalez lived on the ninth floor with her parents at Champlain Towers South. Angela Gonzalez Gonzalez, Gonzalez's mother, fell several stories to be rescued on the fifth level. Morgan said that her mother, Angela Gonzalez, was one of the survivors and is still in hospital with serious injuries.

Two dozen people were among the victims of the partial collapse of the building on June 24th. Edgar Gonzalez, Deven Gonzalez's father is still missing. According to Morgan Varona and Joslyn Varona (a close family friend who posted frequent updates on Facebook), Taylor Gonzalez, the family's oldest daughter, was not present in the building when it collapsed.

Varona stated, "This is a strong family." They have a lot faith.

Morgan stated that Deven Gonzalez has not been able see her mother yet because she is in different parts of the hospital. However, Morgan said that they briefly chatted on the occasion of Angela Gonzalez's birthday.

Deven Gonzalez was awake during the collapse of the building and throughout her traumatizing rescue, according to her coach. She is unable to sleep because she is haunted by nightmares.

"I don’t know if she’s fully come to terms with all of it. Morgan said that she had and that she hadn't. Morgan also stated that Gonzalez wasn't aware of the magnitude of the tragedy or the international attention it has received.

"She said, "My dad is still missing." Morgan stated, "My dad is still missing." "She gets really upset about it."

She even took her first steps in public recently.

Morgan stated, "It's going be a horrible, painful road, but she can do it,"

Angela Gonzalez will have surgery to repair her severe injuries. Varona stated that Angela Gonzalez was responsive when Varona asked her questions in her Facebook posts.

Varona wrote, "There has been no news about Edgar." "We continue to pray and hope for a miracle."

Varona stated that she has started a letter-writing campaign to encourage her family.

The coach stated that Angela Gonzalez and Edgar Gonzalez were very involved in their daughter's volleyball dreams. Her mom was like a team therapist and always encouraged the girls.

Morgan described Edgar as a gentle, kind, and cheerful father. He helped to prepare a huge barbecue feast for the team after one tournament. When the building collapsed, the family was about to depart for Orlando. Edgar was so excited that he had been packing for two weeks.

Morgan stated, "They're so loving and so supportive." "I see a lot (Gonzalez) strength coming out of her parents," Morgan said.

This tragedy has had a devastating effect on the tight-knit volleyball team. They met Thursday night for practice and allowed parents to take part. As they prayed, everyone gathered together in a circle. Many people cried.

Liyah Deveaux, her teammate, said Sunday that Deven is a hardworking, loving person. "We are so excited for her to get on her feet again. We miss and love her so very much.

GoFundMe has raised over $100,000 for the family.

Morgan stated, "We are trying to be supportive and help but we feel completely helpless that it can't get better." Morgan said, "Everyone would be there digging through the rubble. We would all be there if we could.