Landon West did not imagine himself playing volleyball in college when he began playing the sport his freshman year. 

One of the original boys players for Golden State Volleyball Club, West celebrated a milestone moment Monday at the Manteca High gym.

The recent Sierra graduate has committed to Virginia Wesleyan University, an NCAA Division III private school. Golden State teammate AJ Palmer, a Gregori grad who attended Manteca his first two years, was also honored for his commitment to Fullerton College.

“I started playing volleyball when I was 13 or 14 — my first year was their first year, so there has been a lot of growing for the club and for myself,” West said. “I’ve been playing with these same guys ever since, and I love them to death.

“I played baseball since I was 3, and my freshman year, I just didn’t feel like playing baseball anymore. I had never heard of volleyball in my life, but my friends told me to come out to the tryouts my freshman year. I had never heard of it, but I need a sport in my life. Now, it’s something I’m pursuing in college.”

West had actually planned on playing for another school on the East Coast when he graduated from Sierra in May. His scholarship offer was rescinded, leaving him scrambling for another school.

West reached out to other programs that had expressed interest him, and luckily, Virginia Wesleyan University still had a spot available for the blossoming opposite hitter.

“They answered back within the next three hours after I sent the email,” West said. “They messaged me back and it was all up from there. It felt good. I think they were in a position where they had just lost a hitter or two, so they needed someone else to come in.”

West is receiving a partial academic scholarship from the school and will study biology.

He joins a third-year program that showed great progress from year 1 to 2 under coach Karissa Cumberbatch and assistant Jamal Christian. In 2024, the Marlins went 8-18. They then went 17-10 this last spring season, and 8-4 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.

West was unable to attend freshman orientation at the Virginia Beach campus last week but has gotten a chance to connect with some of his teammates virtually.

“I’m excited,” West said. “I went through the whole meeting process with all the other players, and everyone is saying they’re from Virginia. It’s a little weird being the only one coming from Cali, but I’m excited to meet all the guys in person. I’ve watched a lot of film on them, and I can’t wait to get to work.”

Like the program he is about to join, West has improved greatly in just the past couple years. A middle blocker for the Sierra JV team two years ago, he developed as a productive six-rotation player and made the All-Valley Oak League first team in his breakout senior campaign. West led Sierra with 331 kills (3.0 per set), 31 service aces, 92 blocks and 166 digs.

Sierra lost a five-set heartbreaker to Manteca Unified rival Lathrop in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs, and West was admittedly emotional after the match.

“I was kind of at a loss,” he said. “I didn’t want my high school season to be my last season. I wanted it to continue after high school. I’m so happy and very excited to pursue it in Virginia.”