Mariners Boys Volleyball Team Set for Playoff Opener

The Mar Vista High boys volleyball team opens play in the CIF Division III playoffs Friday night when the fourth-seeded Mariners host Canyon Crest in a 7 p.m. match.

Under the guidance of coach Joe Penolio, Mar Vista finished 12-0 in the South Bay League, the fifth straight year the Mariners have claimed the league crown while going undefeated. The team is 22-8 overall, including a straight-set 25-23, 25-17 tournament win over Canyon Crest on April 29 in the West Coast Challenge.

Junior outside hitter Valtri Holland has led the Mariner attack, collecting 330 kills with a .520 kill percentage and a .359 hitting percentage. Senior outside hitter Deandre Cretain is second on the team in kills with 161, with senior right side hitter Max Uribe close behind with 147.

Senior Trevor Barr and junior Scott Shaffer are providing the majority of the  blocks at the net, with 76 and 50 respectively. Senior setter Jeremy Echeverria has 716 assists and senior libero Luis Alvarez has 301 digs.

If the fourth-seeded Mariners win on Friday, they will face the winner of the game between Monte Vista and top-seeded Cathedral Catholic in Tuesday's semifinals.