SUNSET REGION: Maxwell sets tone as Mustangs capture first region crown

Before this season, Tanner Maxwell had never reached a boys volleyball postseason tournament.

The Shadow Ridge senior has certainly made up for lost time.

Maxwell had 17 kills and four aces to lead the Mustangs to a 25-23, 25-20, 25-15 sweep of Palo Verde and the school’s first-ever Sunset Region title.

“I loved the crowd; I really feed off them. They really get me going,” said Maxwell, a transfer from Cimarron-Memorial. “When we played Desert Oasis (in the quarterfinals), it kind of hit me what we were really doing here. It’s a really cool thing, a totally different atmosphere.”

The Panthers (15-4) came out strong, taking a 10-9 lead midway through a first set that neither team led by more than three points.

Trent Gneiting had four of his 10 kills in the first set as Palo Verde looked to hold off Shadow Ridge (21-0) for the early advantage.

But Maxwell led a late charge by the Mustangs, putting down two kills and a scorching ace as part of a 6-3 run for a 23-22 lead before Braden Taylor posted the set-winning block.

Maxwell erupted in the second set, notching eight kills — including the set-winner — as the Mustangs maintained the momentum.

“This team thrives off Tanner’s energy,” first-year Shadow Ridge coach Trace Venable said. “He’s an energetic player on the court, and he can be an unstoppable force. The team thrives off of that, so when he plays that way, we are always at our best.”

Shadow Ridge offered plenty of variety, too. Taylor, a senior setter, regularly shifted to opposite hitter to finish with 20 assists and eight kills. Brandon Fisher supplied six kills, and Sterling Weaver had three kills and two blocks.

Jalen Makaiwi had 16 assists, and Cody Tesoro supplied 15 digs for the Mustangs.

“Braden is such an offensive weapon; he takes care of the ball, and does all the positive things you need from that right-side player,” Venable said. “When he gets a set, he’s going to put the ball away.”

Jordyn Martin had five kills and six digs for the Panthers, and Vince Hipwell added five kills and two blocks.

Andrew Weston distributed 21 assists for Palo Verde.

Both teams advanced to the Class 4A state tournament, which begins Tuesday at Chaparral.