Last season, the boys’ volleyball team finished third in the Gabilan Division, posted a 13-9 overall record, and advanced to the CCS D1 playoffs, where they lost in the first round. 

This year, the team welcomed Pablo Rico as the new Varsity Head Coach, after he previously led the JV team. Rico has coached boys’ volleyball at Alisal since 2017. 

This year’s varsity volleyball roster features nine players: returning seniors Angel Mejia, Jatniel Mata, Jomax Mendoza, Leonardo Nava, and Leonel Osorio, along with junior Joshua Rojas. New additions include seniors Hector Politron and Jose Ruiz, and sophomore Jorge Ixta. 

Rico described the team as fun, dedicated, and hardworking. For the third consecutive year, Mejia serves as team captain. “He has proven to be a force on the court and shows up for his team,” Rico said. 

The team’s greatest asset is their strong chemistry and close-knit bond. “Even with the new players, our chemistry is solid all around,” Mendoza said. “On the court, this allows us to communicate effectively and play as a unit.”

The players recognize that improving their mentality is essential. With last season’s top hitters lost to graduation, the team faces a tough challenge competing in the Gabilan Division. Only three players have been on varsity for four years, leaving the rest of the roster relatively new to the sport or to the demands of varsity play. 

The team finished 7-9 overall and 2-8 in league, which put them in 5th place. “We had a tough season overall, but we grew a lot as a team,” Mendoza said. “There were definitely moments where we showed our abilities and our full potential even if the results didn’t always reflect it.” 

The boys were unable to qualify for CCS this year, but they recognized they gave the season as much as they could. “It was a bummer, knowing we were on a CCS qualifying streak and in a good division in the past,” Mejia said. “I’m proud of my team and their efforts.”