Tag Archives: Cheyenne Jones

UTEP volleyball head coach Holly Watts announced the addition of Mallory Yost, Sahara Martinez and Cheyenne Jones for the 2017-18 season.

“All three of these young ladies come from great families and support systems and we are grateful and excited they have chosen to be part of the University of Texas at El Paso volleyball program,” said head coach Holly Watts. “We are pleased to include them in our 2017 recruiting class.”

Mallory Yost, a 6’1 middle blocker from Gretna, Nebr., is a long, athletic player with great quickness and lateral speed.

Throughout her time at Gretna High School, Yost played with the varsity team for four years. She saw action in 317 sets and dished out 816 kills at a .377 hitting efficiency, 182 digs, 151 blocks (56s/95a), 11 assists and nine service aces. As a senior, Yost played alongside her sister Lydia, a freshman outside hitter. The duo led Gretna High School to the Class B State Volleyball Tournament, where they combined for nine kills in a five-set thrilling victory over Waverly High School in the B-2 District Volleyball Final.

“Mallory will add to our attacking and defending across the net”, said Watts. “She brings with her a history of winning both in high school and club ball and will have the potential to contribute quickly in her career.”

Yost played club volleyball for six years for the Nebraska Juniors, who have finished in the Top 25 in the open division of the AAU Nationals for the past three seasons.

“I felt really comfortable with the players and coaches,” Yost said. “The campus was beautiful and I love the city of El Paso.”

Sahara Martinez is a 5’10 setter who was a three-year starter for Bonita High School. Martinez is a three-time All-Palomares League selection, who saw action in 231 sets while connecting for 1,987 assists throughout her high school career. Her other totals include 553 digs, 105 kills, 100 service aces and 81 total blocks (31s/50a).

“Sahara has played with a variety of teams and levels and is a consistent voice on her teams,” Watts said. “She will have the opportunity to learn our offense and will push to find a place on the court.”

Martinez played club volleyball for eight years. Martinez led Club West 15-National to a 10th-place finish at the 2014 USAV Girls’ Junior National Championships. The setter participated with Forza 1 North 17 Asics as well, which finished 13th at the USAV Girls’ Junior National Championships in 2016.

“UTEP has everything I want in a school,” Martinez said. “It is a perfect fit for me.”

Cheyenne Jones is 6’1 from Valley Christian School in Missoula, Mont., where she played at the middle, right side and outside hitter position as well as a defensive specialist. Jones holds the state record for kills in a match with 51, which she set as a junior. She nearly broke her record this year in the District 13-C tournament with a 50-kill match against Seeley-Swan. After her outstanding season as a senior, Jones was placed on the All-State First Team.

“Cheyenne has potential to be another piece of the offensive puzzle for the Miners in 2017,” Watts said. “Part of a winning high school and club program, Cheyenne can actually attack at any point across the net.”

Jones also participated in club volleyball for eight total years, with seven of those being with Montana Volleyball Academy.

“I chose UTEP because the university offered my major, great coaches and players as well as a great volleyball program,” Jones said.