Mayer teamed up with former Pepperdine teammate Brad Keenan in 2006, and in Hermosa Beach the pair went through the qualifier and finished third, tying for the highest finish by a qualifier in AVP history. Immediately afterwards, he and former teammate and beach partner Matt Prosser competed in the World University Games in Cyprus, claiming a Bronze medal.

Mayer started out at Los Angeles Pierce Community College, where he led the team to the 2002 California state championship while earning MVP honors in the tournament as well as in the conference. He transferred to Pepperdine and immediately became the starting setter, guiding the team to the National Championship match. After two years as the starting setter, he switched positions, briefly becoming a libero before settling in at opposite hitter, starting on the 2005 National Championship team.