Boys Volleyball fell 3-1 to Los Gatos High School in its second-to-last game of the season on Wednesday, May 7. In the first set, the Matadors kept the set close, taking the game to extra points. However, they were ultimately unable to close out ahead, instead losing 30-28. Both teams traded points throughout the second set, but the Matadors ultimately dropped the set 25-20.
Facing a 2-0 sweep as they came into the third set, MVHS geared up for a comeback. Like the first set, the third set also went to extra points, but the Matadors finished on top at 26-24. However, they were unable to continue this momentum into the fourth set and fell with a score of 25-9.
Senior, captain and outside hitter Praneel Shah attributes the team’s loss to its energy coming into the game, claiming it was lower than usual. As it was LGHS’s Senior Night, Shah describes the energy from the other team as much more radiant.
“We fell to some runs early on,” Shah said. “In the first, second and especially in the fourth set, there was a lot of fatigue setting in. It’s important for us to start off hot and carry that through the entire set.”
Shah spent his first three years on Varsity as a setter, but switched to outside hitter at the beginning of this year. This was a significant change for Shah that he is still adjusting to even as the season nears its end.
“It’s a different experience and it needs a lot of adjustment,” Shah said. “As a setter, you’re conducting the entire offense, but as an outside, you’re delivering the ball to others, and you’re the one who has to go make those plays. It’s a different role altogether.”
Serving specialist and senior Ridwan Khan agrees with Shah about the team lacking energy throughout the game, but is still proud of his personal performance in the match.
“Last game, I came off the bench and I missed four serves,” Khan said. “This game, I made it a priority for me to make all my serves, so I’m glad I hit them all today. Overall the team did well.”
Additionally, Khan praised the mindset of the team, claiming that the team viewed every game as winnable since it won eight of its last nine games. Between sets, he says the team didn’t lose motivation, as despite falling behind early, they constantly believed that they could win.
“An overwhelming majority of our points came from their errors,” Khan said. “We just need to make sure that we can put a ball away on our own system. But the energy throughout the game was good, and up to a certain point, all of us believed we were going to win the game. I’m glad that we had that.”
