Alexandra Esquivel Santos is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mesa High School for AZPreps365.com

MESA, Ariz.— On both the volleyball and basketball courts, Mesa High School student Charly Pacheco brings an aggressive and competitive attitude to every game. As a captain she leads by example and is not afraid to hold everyone accountable to do more in order to be better.

Off the court, Pacheco is also recognized for her unfiltered personality and humor. 

“I asked her what she thinks makes her stand out in volleyball,” coach Vee Hiapo said, “and she said ‘I’m not fluffy’ in all seriousness.”

She describes herself as a passionate, hardworking and determined person, which are qualities that are reflected on the court. She encourages her teammates by pushing them to improve themselves, having them correct the mistake they just made and cheering for them when they have fixed it.  

Her intensity to the game shows her will to win but away from the game she is a delightful person to be around and has the ability to make others laugh.

“She’s a beast in both sports,” assistant coach Kanani Hiapo said. “She was the only freshman in varsity at the time when we picked her.”

She may be known for her competitive spirit but her love for sports started long before she became one of the captains for the volleyball team. Growing up, Pacheco had the chance to experience different sports allowing her to find her place in volleyball and basketball.

“I played a lot of sports when I was little,” Pacheco said. “I did soccer, dance, gymnastics, softball and I even wrestled when I was little.” 

Her interest in volleyball and basketball started from seeing older girls on TV, where they showed their passion for the sport. She was inspired by them and had the desire to step onto the court.

“I want to represent my school, family, and my coaches,” Pacheco said. “I love playing for something bigger than myself.” 

The motivation for sports does not just come from her experiences but comes from the people who have the biggest influence on her, which is her family. 

During games both her dad and brother are always in the stands and they are her biggest supporters. Pacheco says that her dad is always the first person to cheer her on even when she is not performing her best.

One of Pacheco’s proudest accomplishments during high school is the bond she has built with her fellow teammates. The teams she plays for have become more than just a group of players to her, she refers to her teammates as sisters and her loyalty to the team shows how much they mean to her.  

Pacheco shows her loyalty by taking pride in the opportunity to represent Mesa High and from the respect that she has for her coaches. Her dedication is reflected in the effort she puts into her practices and games. 

As she reflects on how much she has grown, a piece of advice she would give her freshman year self would be to have fun.

“I feel like I have put so much pressure on myself to do good,” Pacheco said. “Tell myself it’s gonna all work out, find joy and let loose.”

Outside of athletics, Pacheco is also involved in her school's student council, where she is a sports commissioner and helps out with sport events and spirit-related activities like homecoming. 

Pacheco is only a junior in high school, but has grown over time to where she wants to be known as a hardworking person while setting standards. She wants to be recognized as a good athlete while also setting the tone for younger people. Being someone enjoyable to be around that spreads school spirit and gives a positive environment is what she strives for.

“She is a humble and pure kid that does not know her greatness in volleyball,” Vee said. “I have worked and played against Olympians, I want her to see her greatness.” 

As Pacheco looks into her future after high school, she aims to be a part of a college team. She has not decided on which sport she will commit to but she knows that either sport has taught her to be accountable for herself. Her experience at Mesa High has helped shape her as a person for the next stages of her life.

“I think she is gonna take a lot of different skill sets,” Kanani said. “As an athlete I think she has a really good chance of taking her sport skills onto a higher scholarship in college”.