High Desert Athletes of the Week: Oak Hills’ Diego Lopez and Hesperia’s Malaya Hall
Diego Lopez
Sport: Football
School: Oak Hills
Grade: Junior
This week’s accomplishment: The lefty completed 25 of 36 passes in a 40-20 victory over Citrus Valley on Sept. 9. Lopez ended the night with 335 yards and three touchdowns.
What do you like most about your sport: The thing I like about football the most is the brotherhood that is gained with your teammates.
How long have you been playing your sport, and how did you get started: I’ve been playing football since I was 10. I started because I would just watch football with my family and always wanted to play.
Pregame ritual: I don’t have a pregame ritual besides just playing calm music.
Most memorable sports moment: Going to a Raiders vs. Panthers game.
If you could be someone else for a day, who would it be and why: I really don’t know.
► GAME OF THE WEEK: Oak Hills hosts St. Bonaventure in high-stakes showdown
Something most people don’t know about you: I lived in Lompoc for about 12 years.
How would you spend $1 million: I would spend it on school if I didn’t have a scholarship and a house. The rest I would save.
Where would you go if you could travel anywhere in the world: Hawaii.
If you had an extra hour every day, how would you spend it: I would spend it on time with family and friends.
What superpower do you wish you had: The ability to fly.
Favorite sports team: Las Vegas Raiders.
Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant.
Favorite superhero: Captain America.
Favorite TV show: “Money Heist.”
Favorite movie: “The Benchwarmers.”
Favorite song: “1942 Flows” by Meek Mill.
Favorite meal: Wontons and fried rice.
Favorite local restaurant: Love Oasis Sushi.
Favorite app: Instagram.
Malaya Hall
Sport: Volleyball
School: Hesperia
Grade: Junior
This week’s accomplishment: Hall helped her team to a second-place finish at the second annual Scorpion Classic tournament on Sept. 10. She was named to the all-tourney team after racking up 45 kills and six aces. In a 3-0 victory over A.B. Miller on Sept. 7, Hall had eight kills, an ace, three digs and a block.
What do you like most about your sport: One thing I like about volleyball the most is that I can be myself. I feel like I can finally dominate in a position that I know the best. I love the excitement that I get when I get a kill and I love the power of the game.
How long have you been playing your sport and how did you get started: I've been playing volleyball for two years. I started playing volleyball through my twin sister, Alayja.
Pregame ritual: Listening to my motivational speeches and getting locked in for the game.
Most memorable sports moment: I would say making it to finals for track and field, and beating Oak Hills last year.
If you could be someone else for a day, who would it be and why: Sydney McLaughlin. I would say that she is my big inspiration in life. Not only has she set world records but she just sets a good example for me and that is someone who I want to follow after in the future.
Something most people don’t know about you: I feel like something people don’t know about me is that I love to listen to music. I feel like it ties in with my personality and hits my soul.
How would you spend $1 million: I would give it to my mom so that she can put it with her money.
Where would you go if you could travel anywhere in the world: Rome, Italy.
If you had an extra hour every day, how would you spend it: Practice on anything I can improve on in my sports, studying the sports, watching videos or researching about anything that can make me better.
What superpower do you wish you had: I wish I could be invisible or read people's minds.
Favorite sports team: The University of Texas women’s volleyball.
Favorite athlete: Sydney McLaughlin.
Favorite superhero: Spider-Man.
Favorite TV show: “Criminal Minds.”
Favorite movie: I have three “Love and Basketball,” “The Miracle Season” and “Set it Off.”
Favorite song: I don’t have a favorite song but my favorite category would be oldies.
Favorite meal: Chicken wings, fries and a drink.
Favorite local restaurant: Benihana, Wingstop or Raising Cane’s.
Favorite app: Infinite Campus, because I like to stay on my grades.
Athletes of the Week are selected every Monday using stats from the previous week reported by coaches to the Daily Press. All local varsity scores and results are published in our “Best of the Week” roundup and can be reported by email to Daily Press reporter Jose Quintero at JQuintero@VVDailyPress.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at @DP_JoseQ to submit any results throughout the season.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Athletes of the Week: Oak Hills’ Diego Lopez, Hesperia’s Malaya Hall
