Adding a new title to her list of accomplishments, junior Paige McGriff is the very first lady Aztec to be selected for the All-State Volleyball Team. McGriff was one out of forty athletes who were selected by coaches around the entire state.

There is a total of eight teams that participate in the state tournament. Coaches select who they believe are the forty top 5-A volleyball athletes in the state.

“Paige is a tremendous athlete,” said coach Roel DeAnda. “She still has a lot to learn, and a lot of areas to grow in her game. She has the ability and possibility to do great things.”

With such great honor, also comes responsibility. After being selected out of over 150 of the best players in 5-A, McGriff now has to focus on what she can to do to elevate her game. Not only physically, but mentally as well.

“A lot of athletes concentrate on their physical attributes, but I think a lot of it now is, ‘what can you maintain being at a high level mentally?’” DeAnda said.

Although McGriff has played in front of many coaches, she never allows that to be her main focus. She would rather focus on playing for herself.

“I play hard to feel satisfied about my own victory,” McGriff said.

What makes McGriff’s accomplishment even greater is the fact that she was competing against girls who have made it to the second or third round in playoffs. Without a doubt, McGriff has definitely left a legacy at El Dorado High School.

“Not many girls can achieve this honor, especially in El Paso,” DeAnda said. “This year, we had a total of five and the caliber of athlete that we were able to nominate and get on that team says a lot.”