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Pedro named to Valley League first team

Six Warriors chosen for all-league honors

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

Fallbrook High School sophomore Manava Pedro was placed on the Valley League first team by the league's boys volleyball coaches.

Pedro was one of six Fallbrook players to be given all-league recognition. Dre Escobedo was part of the second team. Fernando Fuentes, Lucio Leal, Giovanni Portillo, and Derrick Yap were honorable mention selections.

"I'm happy we did," Fallbrook coach Chip Patterson said of having six all-league players.

Fallbrook's six all-league players had a combined eight seasons of high school volleyball including the 2020 season which for Fallbrook consisted of 11 matches, including five in a tournament, before the coronavirus outbreak shut down competition. Pedro and Escobedo were on the 2020 team while Fuentes, Leal, Portillo, and Yap all joined the program for 2021.

Pedro was primarily a setter and also played outside hitter at times.

"I'm extremely happy for him, that he was recognized by all the coaches," Patterson said. "He's a talented kid."

Pedro complemented his talent with enthusiasm, and Patterson noted that Pedro's desire to improve has led to that improvement. "He does it because he loves it and he wants to be the best," Patterson said.

Being two years younger than some other players didn't stop Pedro from his desire to be a top player. "He's equivalent to a lot of senior setters," Patterson said. "He plays up constantly."

Patterson expects Pedro to leverage his experience into leadership skills during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. "He's going to be that positive force," Patterson said.

Escobedo played outside hitter and was a senior. He joined the program as a junior last year. Fuentes, who was a freshman, played primarily as an outside hitter and also saw action at other positions. Leal, who was a sophomore, played right side hitter for his first high school volleyball season. Portillo did not play volleyball for his first three high school years and was a middle hitter. Yap was the team's libero for his sophomore year.

Fallbrook's season record was 6-15 including a play-in loss in the CIF Division II playoffs. The Warriors had a 2-6 figure in Valley League competition.

Since Fallbrook's all-league selections consisted of two seniors and no juniors, four all-league players are likely to return for subsequent seasons. "That's going to work out in our favor," Patterson said. "Hopefully we can continue to build a volleyball program."

 

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