Paloma Valley High Athletes of the Week: May 12

From left: Cassidy Holmgren, Justin Fabricante, Ashley Arvizu. Not pictured: Kassidy Vogel, Brittany Broderson, Chase Swenson, Hayden Kaas, Lexy Fleek, Shane Robbins. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

Each week, Menifee 24/7 honors top student-athletes at Paloma Valley High School. The coach of each varsity sport is allowed to select athletes 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:

Justin Fabricante is one of the top players for the boys volleyball team, which is 23-6 and plays in the second round of the CIF playoffs today. "Justin is our setter and has been consistent all season," said his coach, Katie Bradley. "He moves fast and reacts quickly, which results in a lot of positive plays for our team. Setters don't always receive a lot of glory, but without Justin our team would not be as successful as we have been. Justin had 61 assists last week and helped the team win two league matches against Heritage and Murrieta Valley."

Fabricante's teammate, Hayden Kaas, "has played very well on the right side all season," Bradley said. "He consistently defends our opponent's best players. Hayden was instrumental last week in our match against Vista Murrieta for the league title. He played strong all around and finished with 9 kills, 4 aces, 11 digs and 3 blocks."

Freshman Cassidy Holmgren pitched a two-hit shutout in a 5-0 win over Heritage for the softball team. Her teammate, Brittany Broderson, pitched a one-hitter and struck out 10 of 16 batters pitched in a complete-game win over Perris.

Chase Swenson has a 4-1 pitching record with a 1.64 ERA and is hitting .400 for the Wildcats baseball team, which is 17-8 overall.

Senior Lexy Fleek of the girls swimming team placed second in the 100 breaststroke and was a member of the second-place 200 medley relay team in the Sunbelt League finals. Her breaststroke time was a new school record. The 200 medley relay time was also a new school record and a CIF consideration time.

Shane Robbins was honored for his performance for the boys swimming team. He set school records in the 50 freestyle (23.82) and 100 freestyle (54.42).

Ashley Arvizu and Kassidy Vogel are both captains of the girls track team. "Their outstanding leadership and a ton of hard work by all involved helped us go undefeated in league and capture the Sunbelt League championship," said coach Juan Merida. "Although it was not always easy and it is sometimes lonely at the top, these girls persevered and did an excellent job with our daily warm-up drills and workouts. I am very grateful for their leadership efforts. They made my job as the head coach much easier."

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