When Mira Costa enters the Redondo gym Thursday for the first of two Bay League matches between the rival schools, the Mustangs will be in an unfamiliar position.
Sure, the noise level will be high and the competition fierce as two of the top girls volleyball programs in Southern California square off, pitting friends and club teammates against each other. But, unlike most matches in previous seasons, Mira Costa will be competing as the underdog in the 7 p.m. contest.
Mira Costa has won 27 league titles in the last 28 years but currently Redondo is ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division 1-AA while Mira Costa is trying to jump back into the top ten.
Even last week’s win against Laguna Beach, the top-ranked team in Division 1-A, failed to move the Mustangs up in the poll. A win over Redondo certainly will.
Led by senior Skylar Dykstra, the Sea Hawks are ranked second in the state and third nationally in the MaxPreps Freeman rankings.
“As always, the team who handles each others serve will have the best chance to win when we play,” Redondo head coach Tommy Chaffins said. “Both squads will be once again fielding many future college players and stars. It is without a doubt the match of the year in the South Bay. Both sides bring many enthusiastic fans.”
Keeping with tradition, Mira Costa-Redondo girls volleyball matches also serve as fundraisers. Proceeds from Thursday’s match at Redondo will be donated to the Karen Bebee Foundation. A resident of Redondo Beach, Bebee was the gym director at American Martyrs School in Manhattan Beach before she passed away from breast cancer in July at the age of 59. Her daughter Krista (RUHS class of 2010) will be speaking before the match.
Each year, proceeds from the Mira Costa home match benefit breast cancer awareness. The Mustangs host the Sea Hawks in the Bay League finale on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
In league action Tuesday, Redondo improved is record to 20-3 overall and 3-0 in the Bay League after sweeping visiting West 25-11, 25-12, 25-10.
Marissa Mitter scored eight kills, Dykstra had five kills and Norene Iosia posted four kills, 10 digs and six aces for Redondo.
After its match with Mira Costa, Redondo’s next match isn’t until Friday, Oct. 19 when the Sea Hawks host Peninsula at 4:30 p.m.
Mira Costa (9-6, 3-0) defeated visiting Peninsula 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 25-15 Tuesday behind Corie Bain’s 13 kills, 14 digs, 56 assists, four aces and two blocks.
Grayce Campbell added 15 kills and 28 digs and Lexi Millington contributed 13 kills and 17 digs for the Mustangs.
Mira Costa will be in San Diego County Friday and Saturday to compete in the California Challenge, an annual tournament hosted by Torrey Pines High School. Along with the nation’s top-ranked team, Torrey Pines, the field of 32 teams includes elite teams from throughout the state.
Joining Mira Costa from CIF Southern Section Division 1-AA will be top-ten teams Mater Dei, Marymount, Corona del Mar and Santa Margarita.
The Mustangs continue Bay League action Wednesday when they host Palos Verdes in a 5:15 p.m. match.
