The 2022 season could not have been a more eventful and historic season for the San Diego Mesa women’s beach volleyball program. The team finished with an 18-5 overall record, crowned conference champions, and for the first time in program history qualified for the team state championships, finishing sixth. 

The tandem of Sophia Jarosz and Austin Mendiola return for their second season as one of the top duos in the state. Jarosz and Mendiola finished 8th in the state, going 3-0 in the early rounds before bowing out in the first-round of the championship bracket. With the exception of Kylie Lyons and Antoinette Trochanova, all players named on the PCAC All-Conference team return (Maddie Harris, Maya Jesse, Nicole Eden, Isabelle Baker, Olivia Ostler, and Kaila Keovilaysane).

“We had a really good season,” states head coach Kim Lester. “But there is still room for improvement and our hope is to place even higher. There were times when we struggled with consistency in our line-up and finding the right chemistry is always a challenge. We need to be more consistent, execute our game plan, and everyone needs to do their job.” 

The Olympians have a core of experienced players along with some new faces on the team. Someone to keep an eye on is freshman Mia Wettergren, a product of Alameda High School. According to the staff, Wettergren’s athletic ability has impressed and continues to get improve everyday. In addition, the team chemistry with her teammates has been great since stepping on the sand. 

“I am expecting this team to step-up big time this season,” adds Lester. “We have all the potential to once again have a successful run, but championships are played on the sand, and not on paper. If our team buys in on our philosophy of putting the team first, we will be very successful.”