Paloma Valley High Athletes of the Week: March 13

From left: Alex Escalante, Leilani Giles, Armando Fuentes.

Each week, Menifee 24/7 honors top student-athletes at Paloma Valley High School. The coach of each varsity sport is allowed to select one athlete based on the previous week's performances or on potential shown by the athlete. Here are this week's Paloma Valley High School Athletes of the Week:

Alex Escalante of the boys tennis team was down 4-1 playing West Valley High's No. 1 singles player in a nonleague match last week. He came back to win the match 6-4 and went on to defeat all of his opponents for a sweep.

"Alex could have thrown in the towel and taken the defeat when he was behind 1-4 in games, but something inside him would not let him take the defeat," said his coach, Reagan Williams. "He is a champion in my book and, yes, deserves the Athlete of the Week."

Armando Fuentes led the boys volleyball team in digs and kills in a tough match against Hillcrest High School.

Leilani Giles of the girls swim team won the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle in a meet against Citrus Hill. She helped the Wildcats set school records in the 200 IM, 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.

These athletes will be eligible for selection as Paloma Valley High School's Athletes of the Month, which will be announced the first week in April. Anyone wishing to order a glossy print of this article with photo may do so by emailing menifee247info@gmail.com.