Mira Costa’s boys volleyball team demonstrated why it’s the nation’s top ranked team Thursday, sweeping visiting Redondo despite missing two starters. The Mustangs never trailed in the match, defeating their rival 25-21, 25-15, 25-20 to put themselves in the driver’s seat for their initial goal of a Bay League title.
Their quest for a national championship, however, will be challenged today and Saturday when Mira Costa competes in the Santa Barbara/Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions.
After a come-from-behind victory over Loyola (ranked No. 3 in both the CIF Southern Section Division 1 and ESPN Rise Fab 50 polls), Mira Costa (16-0) spent spring break in Hawaii where the Mustang swept Iolani (No. 21 in the nation) and Punahoe, the nation’s fifth-ranked team.
Redondo (17-5), meanwhile, hadn’t played a competitive match since March 31 and it showed. The Sea Hawks fell behind 7-0 in the first match before shaking the cobwebs loose and pulling to within 21-19 before the Mustangs put the game away.
“We’ve had that in the past where we’ve come back from spring break and been a little rusty, so that might have played into the outcome,” Mira Costa head coach Mike Ninnis said. “When we’re playing in system I know how strong we can be. I think our passing was a little sharper tonight and it all begins with the passing. It was nice to see Zack Proctor and Weston Carico come in and have nice matches.”
Proctor and Carico stepped up with the absence of starters Christopher Orenic (twisted ankle) and Jake Miller (slight leg fracture). Proctor recorded seven kills and nine digs and Carico had six kills and three blocks to help the Mustangs.
D.J. White led Mira Costa with 12 kills and 10 digs, setter Kameron Bain had 27 assists and four blocks, Karl Acres added four blocks and libero Tony Ensbury contributed six digs.
“I was little surprised that we swept them considering we had two of our starters out, but Redondo didn’t play that well tonight,” Mira Costa outside hitter Keith Waddell said. “I’m sure it will be a different match when we play them at their place (May 3).”
Redondo was led by Riley Theunissen’s 11 kills and eight digs. Ryan Olson added 10 kills and eight digs, Trevor Butler had eight kills, Ryan Mather had six kills, five blocks and three digs and libero Kevin Fender recorded 13 digs.
The Sea Hawks continue Bay League action with 4:15 p.m. road matches at Peninsula Tuesday and at West next Thursday.
Mira Costa hosts Palos Verdes Tuesday and Peninsula Thursday after traveling up the coast today to begin play in the highly-competitive Santa Barbara tournament. The Mustangs open playing Buena with the victor facing the winner of the Dos Pueblos-Valencia match.
“We’ve played a tough schedule,” Ninnis said. “Santa Barbara is a tremendous tournament and two of the top teams from the Best of the West Tournament in Poway – Rancho Santa Margarita and Bellarmine – will be playing along with Corona del Mar and Newport Harbor. There are a lot of tough teams playing up there.”
Other teams in Mira Costa’s half of the bracket are Corona del Mar (the top-ranked team in CIF Southern Section Division 2 and tenth in the nation), Palisades Charter, Long Beach Wilson and Newport Harbor (No. 8 in Division 1 and ninth in the nation).
The other half of the bracket includes Bellarmine Prep (fourth in the nation), Royal, Clovis West, Santa Barbara (No. 8 in Division 1 and 18th in the nation), Thousand Oak (No. 10 in Division 1 and 45th in the nation), Ventura, San Marcos and Santa Margarita (No. 2 in Division 1 and the nation).
Having to replace three All-CIF players from last year’s squad, Ninnis said he is not so much surprised as he is pleased to have his team undefeated mid-way through the season.
“It’s a group that loves playing volleyball and they’re enthusiastic and used to winning,” Ninnis said. “We lacked some varsity experience coming into the season and have certainly attained that during our first 16 games of the season.” ER
