After 15 years with El Paso High, leader, mentor, and head of varsity volleyball, coach Yesenia Alarcon Ortega left the sidelines, closing a chapter that defined the school’s volleyball program.
While Alarcon Ortega said it wasn’t an easy decision to leave, she steps into an opportunity that reflects her dedication to service and community as a manager of school and engagement at the El Paso Children’s hospital.
“It was a difficult decision because of the timing. It wasn’t what I preferred, but the opportunity came when it did, and as tough as it was, it was a decision I had to make,” she said in an interview with EPHS’ La High Media, Melanie Hernandez.
Alarcon Ortega left EPHS with over 460 victories, four area championships, nine district and 13 bi-district championships. This came after she was inducted into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame in the spring.
More than impressive records, she said she’s most proud of the generations of tiger athletes she coached throughout the years.
“There’s a lot that I’ll miss, but if I had to nail it down to just one thing it’d be interaction with my student athletes, awesome coworkers, and administrators I have here at El Paso High,” Alarcon Ortega said. “There’s nothing like coaching in CD Jarvis on a Tuesday or Friday night.”
An alum of El Paso High, Alarcon Ortega, gave credit to the ties between her experiences at her alma mater.
“The coach that I had when I came here, she was a big part of my life, and a big part of who I am now, and who I became as a coach more or less,” Alarcon Ortega said. “She taught me a lot of different things, discipline obviously being one of them, and how to handle different challenges in life and I appreciate that.”
Discipline seems to be a constant in how Alarcon’s athletes would describe her.
“She taught us strength, discipline, and responsibility, because no matter what we always had to stay disciplined, stay responsible for ourselves, and stay perseverant and push through,” said senior Tori Flemming.
Other teammates echoed sentiments of Coach Alarcon’s teachings and principles.
“She’s taught us a lot about courage on and off the court, she’s also taught us how to be loyal and respectful to everyone outside of teachers and associates,” senior Vivyanne Falcon said.
The emotions surrounding Coach Alarcon’s leave show how much she’ll be missed, but players emphasize the strong foundation she left them with and their bright future ahead.
“It won’t be the same without her, but we will have all of her mentality, courage, and everything else left on this court,” said Samantha Muñoz.
“Coach Keyson is going to step up to the plate, I know she has a lot of strength and has so much courage to push this team for more district and bi district wins, it’s looking great so far so we gotta push more and be strong,” Samaire Muñoz said.
It’s clear that, especially as seniors, these girls have formed strong connections with Alarcon.
“One of the things I communicate the most to my players is how special it was to have coached them,” Alarcon Ortega said. I’m grateful for that opportunity and there’s so many more things I want to tell them but I know that we’ll meet again.”
Alarcon’s gratitude for her players extends into a deeper loyalty to El Paso High as a whole.
“This is the only school that I’ll ever clap for. I came in as a tiger, and I will always be a tiger,” Alarcon Ortega said.
