Paloma Valley High Athletes of the Week: Oct. 31

Menifee 24/7 is pleased to honor outstanding athletes at area high schools. Each coach of a sport in season is allowed to select one athlete per week as Athlete of the Week. Here are this week's honorees from Paloma Valley High School:

Sydney "Sydward" Andersen of the girls tennis team finished third in the Sunbelt League year-end tournament. "Battling the heat, Andersen showed true grit, hitting her angles and being a beast at the net," said coach David McCoy. "We are looking forward to taking her momentum into the playoffs. She has been solid at our number one doubles all year long, earning her all-league status."

 

Madison Martinez is a senior captain and a third-year varsity player for the girls volleyball team. She plays libero and is the team's defensive leader, according to coach Stephen Kaas. "She shoulders most of our passing and defense," Kaas said. "Madison brings the spark that we need during our matches with big serves or making plays on defense. Madison led our team with 15 digs and 6 aces in our win against Heritage."

Sophomore Marissa Doria has consistently been the number 3 runner for the girls cross country team. "Her steady approach to racing has anchored the middle of this team," coach Joe Ellett said. "She raced an all-time personal record of 19:28, helping her team to a fifth-place finish at the Apache Invitational in Arcadia.

"Marissa is quiet, but very focused. Her teammates look to her to see the right way to get work done. I look forward to seeing how strong she can race over the next two weeks, and more importantly, to the leadership that I think she will bring to the team over the next two plus years. I really enjoy working with Marissa."

Lauren DeLoss (class of 2019) has been another one of the cross country team's most consistent performers this season. She was the team's number two scorer at the Kit Carson Invitiational in Escondido. She finished 30th out of almost 200 runners and led the team to a sixth-place finish.

"I have watched Lauren's confidence grow with each passing week," Ellett said. "At the Wayne Walker Invite in late September, she held back a little in the middle of the race. In the last two weeks, she isn't holding back anymore. It will be very exciting to watch her in our next two weeks. I expect great things from Lauren."

Boys cross country runner Connor Dmytriw finished 13th overall at the Kit Carson seeded race out of 300. Has been the top Paloma Valley runner all year.