Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Loraine Aicel Sotto, Mt. Diablo High
Name: Loraine Aicel Sotto
School: Mt. Diablo High School
Grade: Senior
Sports: Volleyball, Basketball
Loraine Aicel Sotto has displayed an unwavering commitment to both her academics (3.5 GPA) and athletic career (volleyball and basketball) at Mt. Diablo. She started playing volleyball when she was a freshman and basketball in her sophomore year. She’s an outside hitter for the Red Devil volleyball team and a shooting guard who averages 40% from the three-point line for the basketball squad.
This fall she’s leading her volleyball team in kills while basketball coach Ronnie McGee says her basketball IQ will definitely benefit the team during her senior season this winter.
McGee adds, “Since her first year in high school, Loraine has been consumed by a deep passion for volleyball. The exhilaration of spiking the ball and scoring a point ignites an unquenchable fire within her, fueling her competitive spirit and driving her to exceed her own limitations. Her relentless determination and work ethic are evident in every aspect of her game.”
For Sotto, volleyball is not a mere pastime; it is a means of self-expression, a way to stay active and a source of pure enjoyment. Through the highs and lows of the sport, she has discovered the immeasurable joy that comes from being part of a team. Her teammates have become her extended family. Sotto says, “Winners embrace hard work. They love the discipline of it, the trade-off they’re making to win. Losers, on the other hand, see it as punishment. And that’s the difference.”
Exceptional mentors
She attributes a great deal of her success to the exceptional mentors who have guided her along the way. She expresses her deep gratitude to volleyball coach Taylor Thompson and McGee as well as the entire MDHS coaching staff. Her journey would not have been possible without the support of her loved ones. She says their encouragement and presence in the stands have fueled her determination to succeed, even in the face of adversity.
The Pioneer congratulates Loraine and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry.
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com
Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.