East County Athlete of the Week: Kora Yanes

Kora Yanes is a junior on the Lakewood Ranch High volleyball team. As of Sept. 9, Yanes leads the Mustangs with 127 kills and 203 digs and is tied with junior Ava Collins for the team lead in solo blocks (10). The Mustangs are 9-6 and will play at Braden River High (2-7) at 7 p.m. Sept. 12. 

When did you start playing volleyball?

I started in fifth grade. All of my friends played on a recreational team, so I joined them. I didn't want to start playing, honestly, but it was something to do on the weekends with my friends. I ended up loving it and I moved onto club volleyball in seventh grade. 

What is the appeal to you?

The environment. You get to know all these different types of girls who you don't get a chance to talk to during school. It's the same with club volleyball. You make a strong bond over your love of the sport. 

What is your best skill?

My hitting. With my height (5-foot-10), it makes it easy and more fun to be a good hitter. 

What have you been working to improve?

Well, I play both indoor and beach volleyball, and during the summer I played a lot of beach. Doing that actually helps with indoor volleyball, too, because it's a faster and difficult game. It helped with my vertical, too. 

What is your favorite memory?

During my freshman year, I was on varsity and I got a chance to play in our district tournament game (against Sumner High). We were up 2-1, and in the fourth set, I hit a ball into the net to give the other team a 24-21 lead. But I then I kept hitting aces, and we won the set 26-24 to take the match. 

What is your favorite food?

Right now, I have to say sushi. 

What is your favorite school subject?

I like my ceramics and art classes. I like getting to be hands-on with activities. You can play with clay and make pots and cool statues. 

What are your hobbies?

I like to hang out with family and friends. We'll go to the beach sometimes. I also like to catch up on sleep. 

What is your favorite TV show?

I like the "Reacher" series a lot. 

What is the best advice you have received?

If you mess up, you need to have the memory of a goldfish and move past it. Remembering your mistakes can hold you back. It will leave you with the fear that you will mess up the next point. After the game, you can think back to them and improve from them. 

Finish this sentence: "Kora Yanes is …"

Straightforward. I don't sugarcoat things when people ask me questions.