Mira Costa, Loyola resume boys volleyball rivalry
Roy McFarland goes for the kill in last year’s rivalry match against Loyola. Photo
Mira Costa’s boys volleyball team takes on rival Loyola in a 7 p.m. non-league match Friday at Loyola Marymount University looking to avenge last year’s sweep by the Cubs.
Not only does the match pit two of the top programs in the country, it also carries neighborhood bragging rights. Each season, Loyola has a number of South Bay players on its roster including many from Manhattan Beach.
Loyola (10-1) is ranked No. 2 and Mira Costa (7-1) No. 3 in the CIF-SS Division 1 poll and both teams are coming off impressive performances in last weekend’s Best of the West tournament in Poway. Mira Costa finished third, losing to eventual winner Huntington Beach 25-17, 20-25, 15-10 in the semifinals. Huntington Beach (No.1, Div. 1) defeated Loyola 25-21, 25-15 in the championship match.
“Junior outside hitter Roy McFarland, senior outside hitter Blake Markland and junior opposite Jackson Wedbush all had very strong tournaments,” Mira Costa head coach Sean Shoptaw said.
The Mustangs swept pool play matches beating Servite, Highland and La Costa Canyon. Saturday’s action began with a 25-15, 25-22 win over Bay League foe Palos Verdes. Mira Costa later defeated Westlake 25-16, 25-23 in the quarterfinals.
Mira Costa opens Bay League action Tuesday with a home match against Palos Verdes at 5:30 p.m.