The seeds for an unprecedented Patagonia High volleyball season were planted back in the dead of summer, cultivated and nurtured during twice-weekly practices in an un-air-conditioned gym.
The final harvest made it all worthwhile: a 14-3 regular season record, a berth in the state semifinals and a windfall of accolades for those most responsible.
The Lobos fell short of the ultimate prize — a state championship — but that does little to diminish what they did accomplish. It is the first time in school history that they advanced as far as the state semifinals, and their two victories in the state tournament were their first ever.
“It’s fair to say it was the greatest volleyball season in school history,” athletic director Nate Porter said.
“I know it didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but to just see it pay off in the way it did and being able to make school history, it’s just awesome,” said Patagonia coach Brenda Somoza.
The Lobos’ state tournament run began with a 25-20, 25-19, 25-21 victory over Joseph City last Tuesday, a significant hurdle after losing in the first round in the previous two years. “They played so good, they didn’t seem nervous at all,” Somoza said. “Honestly, it was probably one of the best games they played all year.”
Patagonia senior Amaya Somoza was voted the 1A South Offensive Player of the Year in voting by region coaches. (Photos by Dave Lumia) 
Junior Monique Snell was a repeat honoree on the 1A South All-Region team. (Photo by Dave Lumia) 
Sophomore Charlotte Myers was a second-team selection on the 1A South All-Region team . (Photo by Dave Lumia) 
Junior Nicole Cabrera earned honorable mention on the 1A South All-Region team . (Photo by Dave Lumia) 
Freshman Thais Snell earned honorable mention on the 1A South All-Region team. (Photo by Dave Lumia)
That earned Patagonia a trip to Scottsdale for Friday’s quarterfinal match with third-ranked Rock Point, a Navajo Nation school that came into the match with a 20-0 record against 1A competition and a gymnasium full of supporters.
The Lobos won the first two sets, 25-18, 25-16, but then the wheels began to wobble. Rock Point took the third, 25-21, then held a 22-18 lead in the fourth before the Lobos fought back to close out the match 26-24, with junior Nina Sanchez holding serve for the rally.
“They just did not stop fighting the whole game,” Somoza said. “Nina was able to stay consistent with that serve, which helped us being able to play our game on defense and offense. At any moment that game could have been over.
“They were super excited, especially because Rock Point was a higher seed than us. And they had a lot of fans there; I think their whole town showed up for that game. So it was pretty noisy, pretty intense, and the girls were able to just dial in and stay focused.”
“I know it didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but to just see it pay off in the way it did and being able to make school history, it’s just awesome.”
Brenda Somoza
Patagonia’s reward was a semifinal matchup two hours later against their nemesis: 1A South region rival St. David — a team the Lobos haven’t defeated since 2015. The result was all too familiar, a 25-12, 25-12, 25-13 loss.
“I told my husband, I’m going to ask Kenny (superintendent Hayes) if there’s any money in the school budget for a psychiatrist,” Somoza said. “Because I don’t understand why we fall apart when we play them.
“It was the third time we were playing them. We know what they’re about. We know what they can do. We just needed to show up and play our game. And we didn’t do it. It’s kind of frustrating to have to try to figure out how to win the mental game when it comes to them.”
That one major frustration aside, Somoza was thrilled with the season.
“It’s very special,” she said. “I’m so proud. They’ve been putting in the work for so many months.”
Athletic director Porter said the success was a rallying point for the entire school and a credit to all involved. “It validates all the hard work Brenda and the kids put in, starting with their summer programs that were very well-attended” he said.
Not surprisingly, the team success resulted in some well-deserved individual rewards too.
Senior Amaya Somoza, Brenda’s daughter, was named the 1A South Offensive Player of the Year. Junior Monique Snell earned first-team all-region honors, sophomore Charlotte Myers was a second-team selection, and junior Nicole Cabrera and freshman Thais Snell earned honorable mention. Brenda Somoza was the region Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.
“Those girls have been putting in the work all summer, so it’s awesome,” Somoza said. “And it’s really special to share that with Amaya. It’s been fun watching her grow and really step into that leadership role this year. Being able to replace her is going to be challenging.
“But we’ll see who shows up for open gym in May. Maybe after this we’ll get some kids who say, hey, I want to go play volleyball at Patagonia.”
