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Palomares signs with NAIA school in Indiana
He’ll reunite with former Lathrop standout at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Marco Palomares signing
Lathrop High senior Marco Palomares signs his letter of intent to play volleyball for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, as Principal Melissa Beattie and mother Veronica Palomares look on.
JONAMAR JACINTO
The Bulletin
Published: Apr 25, 2025, 7:25 AM

Marco Palomares had no intention of playing volleyball in high school and never thought of it a possibility for college.

On Thursday, Lathrop High held a signing ceremony for the senior standout, who inked his commitment to St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics private school out of Indiana.

Marco Palomares signing
Marco Palomares has a video chat with former Lathrop volleyball standout — and future Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College teammate — Christian Williams shortly after solidifying his commitment to the Indiana school. Also pictured are Lathrop High head coach Toa Fa’ali’i, from left, mother Veronica, brother Lorenzo and father Eduardo Palomares.

After signing the letter of intent, Palomares expressed his appreciation for coaches Toa and Arlene Fa’ali’i and parents Eduardo and Veronica Palomares. He gave a special shout-out to Persius Fa’ali’i, one of Toa and Arlene’s sons who plays for the Spartans’ boys volleyball program.

“Persius convinced me to try out for volleyball,” Palomares said. “I was asking all kinds of questions, because as a freshman, I didn’t know what I wanted to do in high school. Persius was the only person I was talking to at the time, as my friend. He convinced me to go out for volleyball, and it just went on from there.”

Palomares accomplished more than he ever expected, earning Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a junior while playing a big part in the Spartans capturing their third league championship.

Marco Palomares signing
Marco Palomares addresses his family, mom Veronica, dad Eduardo and brother Lorenzo, after signing his letter of intent to play volleyball for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Lathrop’s 6-foot-1 right-side hitter is the third player in program history to sign with a four-year university out of high school, following in the footsteps of Christian Green (SMWC) and Veonn Taito (Tennessee Wesleyan). Palomares was a freshman during Green’s prolific senior year in which he led the Spartans to their first Sac-Joaquin Section title. They’ll be reunited at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

“I never really thought about actually playing at the college level,” Palomares said. “It just sort of came to me one day. I was planning on going to Las Positas College down in Livermore, and then eventually (SMWC) reached out to me and I started making plans to go (visit) there.

“I think it’s just finding something and really following through on it. I love volleyball. It’s really one of the things I think about all day and all night.”

Palomares added that Green has played a big part in making him feel at home. He visited this past January and was drawn my the natural beauty surrounding the campus, which is located in a secluded, unincorporated community in Indiana. Palomares also lauded the “great culture and great community.”

Marco Palomares signing
Marco Palomares with Lathrop volleyball coaches Toa and Arlene Fa’ali’i at his signing ceremony Thursday at the Lathrop High career center. Palomares has committed to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics schools out of Indiana.

Green is one of the original members of the SMWC program. The Pomeroys launched their program in 2023, going 0-18 in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference and 3-24 overall. They’ve since transformed into a competitive team, finishing 8-8 in the River States Conference and 26-10 overall. SMWC reached the RSC Tournament semifinals, falling to eventual champion and nationally ranked Georgetown College (Kentucky).

“It makes you want to work harder, and I know I have to prepare myself before going there,” Palomares said. “I can’t wait wait to play on a more competitive level.”

Palomares is well tested playing for Lathrop and Rage Volleyball Club. He plans to study digital marketing.