Andrea Aguilar
Age 14 | School Southwest High | Grade 10th
EL CENTRO — The Southwest High School volleyball team is having one of its most successful seasons in recent years as the Eagles are 17-7-1 overall and 7-3 in Imperial Valley League play as of Wednesday afternoon. While this year’s Southwest team is on the younger side, the Eagles have solid varsity experience, which they’re brought to the court all season and in particular, last week.
Southwest faced Holtville High School and Calexico High School last week and worked to come away with two solid league wins, defeating the Vikings 29-27, 25-11 and 25-14 and topping the Bulldogs 22-25, 25-23, 25-23 and 25-15. “We were really pumped for the Calexico game,” said sophomore middle blocker Andrea Aguilar. “We were ready to play and to try and get even because they beat us the first time we played them.” Aguilar was a strong presence for the Eagles in both victories after she combined for 22 service points, 21 kills, 13 digs and two solo blocks.
“I’ve been playing back row for the last few games now,” said the 5-foot-9-inch starter. “I usually just play front row, but I’m getting more confident in the back.” Aguilar credits her head coach and teammates with helping her improve this year for the Eagles. “I try to keep my coach’s and teammates’ suggestions in my head when I’m playing,” Aguilar said.
As the Eagles are in Div. IV this year for the CIF-San Diego Section playoffs, Aguilar said she is looking forward to helping her team in the postseason after missing out on the Div. III tourney last year. What do you enjoy most about your sport? I enjoy the communication and team bonding that we all have. What is one of your more memorable moments in your sport? I think when we played Central (Union High) earlier this year. We really stuck together and communicated and think that’s what helped us pull through in that game and give us the win. Who inspires you and why? My coach (Lisa Hinshaw) inspires me because she really pushes us to the limit to be better and I think it’s really paid off this season and shows with how well the team is doing. What are your goals for the rest of this season? I just want to continue playing with all I have to help the team and get ready for the postseason.