FAIRFIELD, CA (MPG) – The 2022 Mesa Verde High School boy’s varsity volleyball season came to an end on May 3 with a 3-1 loss at Vanden of Fairfield in the first round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Boys Volleyball Playoffs.

The Mavericks (14-13, 7-3 Golden Empire League) came into the postseason as big underdogs, matched up as the No. 14 seed with the No. 3 seeded Vikings (19-4, 10-0 Sierra Delta). However, that did not prevent Mesa Verde from winning the first set of the match. The Mavericks came out aggressive and were victorious in the first set, 25-19, surprising Vanden and their fans.

The Vikings stormed back in the second set, prevailing 25-10 in dominant fashion. Vanden completed the gentlemen’s sweep by winning the third and fourth sets 25-17, respectively, to win the match. The Vikings were eliminated from the playoffs in the next round two days later after being swept by No. 6 seed Christian Brothers (10-11, 5-5 Capital Athletic).

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Two Mesa Verde middle blockers, freshman Matthew Hernandez-Garcia and junior Gabriel Braga, tied for the team-high in kills with four. The Mavericks had 16 total kills combined. Braga had a majority of the team’s serving aces with three out of five total. Braga also had most of the team’s blocks with two out of three solo blocks and four out of six total blocks.

Freshman libero Everardo Jimenez led the team in digs with 14 as one of three Mesa Verde players to tally digs in the double-digits. Jimenez was followed by senior defensive specialist Mikhael Wilson with 11 digs and Hernandez-Garcia with 10. Senior setter Jovoni Raya recorded 15 assists on 88 ball handling attempts with 11 errors. Jimenez and Braga dominated serve receptions, each with over 20. Jimenez tallied 27 receptions with two errors while Braga recorded 24 receptions with two errors.

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The Mavericks will have most of their team returning for next season. Only three of 12 players will be graduating in the Class of 2022. The following seniors will be moving on to college in the fall: Defensive specialist Hoang (Doni) Nguyen, Raya and Wilson.

Kudos to coach Jessica Shoffner and her entire team on a successful season that concluded with a postseason appearance.