RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Congratulations to coach Joe Smith and the Cordova High School boy’s varsity volleyball team as it placed third in the Greater Sacramento League (GSL), earning a birth in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Boys Volleyball Playoffs.

The Lancers (12-11, 6-4 GSL) are the No. 15 seed in the tournament and will go up against the No. 2 seed Nevada Union Miners (26-5, 12-0 Foothill Valley) who won the Foothill Valley League. West Campus (12-11, 9-1) finished the GSL season in first place and Hiram Johnson (11-2, 9-1) finished in second place.

Cordova had a six-match winning streak during the regular season from March 12 to April 4 that included four sweeps. After the win streak, the Lancers struggled losing five of their next six games including a five-match losing streak. However, Cordova finished the regular season strong by winning its last three in a row, including in the regular season finale against non-league opponent, Foothill (0-5).

The team is made up of 14 players, nine of which are seniors and the remaining five are juniors. The Lancers that will be graduating later this month are outside hitter Simon Larcheveque, right side David Barleac, middle blocker Davion Smith, defensive specialist Muhammad Yousaf, RS/setter Taylen Taitague, S Adam Chau, OH Alex Ventura, RS Kyle Hinahon and MB Hovhannes Muradyan. The players eligible for next year are juniors, libero Waqas Nasir, DS/L Shawn Mendoza, OH/S/DS Tuan Hoang, OH Evan Lee and MB Mark Pavius.

Volleyball is another one of the sports at Cordova that is very challenging for the coaches. The other two sports are tennis and golf. Kids get a little experience playing volleyball in middle school but it’s usually a very basic understanding of the sport.

Youth sports such as baseball, football, basketball, wrestling, swimming and track and field seem to bring the most experienced athletes to Cordova. Volleyball, tennis and golf usually start with many students at the beginners level. With that said, I’m very impressed with how much the players improve by the end of each season in these three sports.

I wish the team all the best as they head into the postseason. Regardless how far they go, the mere fact that they have made it there is a great accomplishment in itself. The passionate coaching staff and dedicated athletes are champions in my book.

The Lancers take on the Miners in Grass Valley on Tuesday evening. 

Go Big Red!