Student Athlete of the Week – Ava Valenzuela

Shadow Hills pitcher Ava Valenzuela is this week's student-athlete of the week.

Ava Valenzuela has had quite a career here at Shadow Hills. She's not only a great player but does whatever it takes to win, which makes her a one-of-a-kind player. 

"She knows her role, and she accepts it, and she excels at it," head coach Sergio Maduena said. "You know, she doesn't do anything to out of bounds, and she gets after it, so we're really proud of her, really excited."

Winning the DEL MVP as a junior and committing to play at Concordia University in Irvine, Valenzuela has done it all, but she wouldn't be where she is today without her team. 

"Well, obviously, you don't have those moments where you kind of get like out of the rhythm, but it's just you're working for your team," Valenzuela said. "You have to have their back just like they have yours."

Being the best comes with a lot of pressure, but for Valenzuela, it doesn't phase her at all.

"I don't block it out," Valenzuela said. "I let it, like, feed me in a way and use it as momentum for my pitching."

Leading the Knights to an undefeated league record, her coaches know that she will continue to get better. 

"I've been with the school here for four years, so I've seen her, and it's just been awesome," head coach Maduena said. "She's grown in front of me and from afar, and you can see it from afar too, so she's really special. Being a part of the team last year, she really showed what she's made of, and this year really hasn't changed. She's really been doing her thing."

We are always looking for Student-Athlete of the Week nominations. If you know a senior who should be featured next, be sure to contact the KESQ sports department.

The Student-Athlete of the Week segment airs every Tuesday.