Mira Costa’s volleyball factory has manufactured another league title, defeating Redondo 25-22, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23 Tuesday in a match held at Redondo. The Mustangs, ranked second in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 poll, won their 30th match of the season but experienced more resistance from the eighth-ranked Sea Hawks than in the first meeting between the rival schools.
D.J. White led Mira Costa (30-1, 7-0) with 16 kills and four blocks and Weston Carico added four in the winning effort.
The Mustangs conclude the regular (and league) season Thursday at Palos Verdes and will find out who their first opponent will be in their quest for a seventh CIF championship when the pairing are announced Sunday afternoon.
When Redondo (25-7, 5-2) seemed to gain an advantage, it had trouble preventing Mira Costa from making a run. Ryan Olson had 16 kills, Kevin Fender recorded 18 digs and Greg Evans had three blocks for the Sea Hawks, who host Peninsula Thursday at 6 p.m. in the regular season finale.
Mira Costa entered Tuesday’s match after winning the Redondo Classic tournament last Saturday. The Mustangs defeated San Clemente (No. 10 in Division 1) 25-15, 25-21 after beating South Torrance (No. 5 in Division 3) 25-14, 25-15, Valencia (No. 3 in Division 2) 25-13, 25-17 and Westlake (No. 5 in Division 1) 25-15, 23-25, 15-9 on the second day of the tournament.
White recorded 32 kills on the day and Carico, named MVP of the tournament, had 24 kills and seven blocks. Karl Acres (29 kills) and Tony Ensbury (13 digs) also were selected to the all-tournament team. Keith Waddell added 20 kills and 16 blocks for Mira Costa.
The Mustangs began the tournament Friday by defeating La Jolla 25-13, 25-14, North Torrance 25-14, 25-20 and Foothill 25-18, 25-14. Carico had 12 kills and nine blocks, Zack Proctor added 12 kills and White recorded 10 kills and six blocks.
Redondo captured third place in the tournament beating Santa Monica (No. 1 in Division 4) 18-25, 25-14, 15-11 after falling to San Clemente 27-25, 25-18 in the semifinals. The Sea Hawks opened the day with a 25-18, 25-23 victory over Fountain Valley.
Olson had 22 kills and nine digs on the day to earn all-tournament honors. He led Redondo with 24 kills, 13 digs and seven aces on Friday when the Sea Hawks defeated Palisades 25-16, 25-17, Simi Valley 25-11, 25-23 and Warren (No. 9 in Division 3) 25-12, 25-23.
Andy Price recorded 75 assists and sevens digs and Ryan Mather added 18 kills and seven blocks in the three matches on Friday.
