Here's how Ysleta High School is moving closer to a District 2-5A title
In now his fifth season as the head coach of the Ysleta volleyball program, Juan Sanchez has made the District 2-5A program a viable playoff contender.
The next goal is to make the Indians a district champion. On Tuesday at Hanks, the Indians took one step closer to winning the District 2-5A title with a 25-20, 25-23, 25-8 win against the Knights in a battle of top teams in the district.
Ysleta is now 5-0 in district and Hanks is 3-2 with five matches remaining in the league slate.
"This team is determined and hard working with a great chemistry," Sanchez said. "Two years ago, we had a strong team and we won bi-district that season. That was a strong team. But in my five years as head coach, I'd have to say this is the most complete team we've had. This team has a strong bond and really gives the best effort they can every day."
And it has balance. Setter Mia Espinoza, who passed the 1,500 mark in assists this season, led Tuesday's win with 33 assists, 15 digs and four kills, but had plenty of help. Andrea Garcia had 13 kills, Danica Holston had 16 digs and eight kills, Hannah Aguirre had eight kills, Mary Raygoza had four kills and Ambrye Garcia had six kills and eight digs.
"We still have lots of work to do but winning a district title would mean a great deal to myself and this program," Andrea Garcia. "Many of us have been together for a long time and we've built a great chemistry. We want to continue to build on what we've built. We had a playoff win two years ago and made the playoffs last year, but we hope to accomplish even more this year."
Ysleta was tested in the first two sets against Hanks on Tuesday night, then controlled the final set with solid play from the entire team to finish the first half of district with a win.
"We believe in ourselves and we have been working hard since the end of last year," Espinoza said. "We really wanted this season to be special and we know we have to finish strong to win a district title. We have to keep focused. We are strong, we are fast and we play with great energy. "
School officials didn't know exactly when was the last time the Indians won a district title, but the opportunity is in front of them.
"We have a tough district," Sanchez said. "We know we have to be ready to play every night and our kids know that. We have lots of different people step up during a match and we play for each other."
Tuesday's top stars
Burges' Natalia Cano had 42 assists, 21 digs, two kills and two aces against Jefferson in five-set loss.
Americas' Lexee Salas had 33 assists, three kills and two aces in three-set win against Eastlake.
El Paso High's Angelina Castro had 18 kills and seven digs in sweep of Canutillo.
Del Valle's Karime Alvarez had three aces, four kills, 13 digs, 28 assists in win against Bel Air.
Fabens' Violet Flores had 23 kills, 13 assists, 10 digs, four aces in five-set win against San Elizario.
Austin's Anacarolina Suarez had 11 Kills, 27 digs, four aces, two assists in sweep of Harmony.
Franklin's Hannah Finn had 33 assists and eight digs in sweep of Socorro.
Coronado's Nadia Peña had seven kills, 19 assists one dig and one ace in win against Pebble Hills.
More: El Paso high school sports results El Paso high school sports results for volleyball, football
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: The Ysleta High School volleyball program making strides
