The third time proved to be the charm for Mira Costa’s boys volleyball team, whose first win in three attempts against rival Loyola came when it mattered most.
Saturday’s thrilling 25-19, 25-22, 25-27, 21-25, 15-12 victory in front of an energized standing-room-only crowd at Cypress College gave Mira Costa its seventh CIF championship in 12 final appearances and first since 2008.
The Mustangs became the third team from the South Bay to bring home a CIF title Saturday after second-seeded South Torrance defeated top-seeded Warren 25-22, 25-18, 20-25, 25-21 to capture the Division 3 championship and Chadwick won its second consecutive title, defeating Viewpoint 26-24, 25-19, 25-17 in the Division 5 final.
The championship match was the third consecutive playoff contest in which Mira Costa faced a nationally-ranked team and second straight where it defeated a higher seeded opponent. The third-seeded Mustangs eliminated second-seeded Esperanza in the semifinals before handing Loyola, the top ranked team in the nation, its second loss of the season.
Prior to the Mustangs winning the first two games in the championship match, Loyola had not lost a game in the playoffs and, although the outcome could be considered an upset, Mira Costa did not feel that way.
“We talked about this after our match against these guys in March,” Mira Costa head coach Mike Ninnis said. “We knew we could play with them. Loyola is a tremendous team. We executed a few things better than the first time we played them. Our blocking was a whole lot better, we forced them into doing some different things and it all came together for us. Unfortunately it took five (sets) instead of three but the kids fought back in the third game and showed a lot of character.”
It wasn’t Ninnis’ first experience as a CIF champion – he was an assistant coach under the legendary Mike Cook, who won six championship rings. But his first CIF title as a head coach is one Ninnis will always cherish.
“This hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Ninnis said after joining his team in front of dozens of Mira Costa supporters who furiously snapped photos of the new CIF Southern Section Division 1 champions. “It feels good to get one. It’s harder than people know.”
After losing its first set in the previous two playoff matches, Mira Costa came out firing on all cylinders against Loyola, never trailing in the first two sets.
In the third game, the Mustangs rallied from a 20-15 deficit to tie the score at 22 and had two match points before Loyola stayed alive after scoring twice in a row for the 27-25 win.
Game four was a see-saw battle before Loyola took a 21-17 lead. Mira Costa fought back to pull with one at 21-10 before the Cubs pulled away.
“In the first two sets, our passing game was really on,” said Keith Waddell who had six kills and four blocks for the Mustangs. “They earned the third and fourth games. We were so close in the third game but they earned the third and fourth games. They made us work for it.”
Mira Costa pulled ahead for good with a 9-8 lead in the final game and, after staving off two match points, a Loyola service error prevented the Cubs (31-2) from winning their 12th CIF championship.
“We came out ready to play,” said Mira Costa outside hitter Christopher Orenic who had a match-high 24 kills with three blocks and 10 digs. “We wanted it more than anything. It’s been our whole focus this whole year. We went game-by-game, point-by-point and we played longer and we played harder.”
Orenic said defeating Loyola for the CIF title was icing on the cake as most players from both teams know each other. Manhattan Beach residents Jagger Kroener, Colin Laporte, Michael Mullahey and Cole Paullin played for the Cubs.
“Beating Loyola is sweet,” Orenic said. “We played as a team and have the confidence that when we play our game, we can win against any team.”
Mira Costa setter Jackson Carr recorded 58 assists and 10 blocks, Scott Stephanoff posted 11 kills and three blocks. Karl Acres had 11 kills, Brooks Varni played his usual strong defensive game with 13 digs and Kevin Inlow contributed nine kills and eight digs
“I’ve never been happier in my life,” Inlow said while Loyola players either slumped forward in their chairs, burying their heads in their hands, or walked by the celebration on the other side of the court without looking at players who will soon be their teammates on club teams this summer. “We really had to work for it. I thought we were going to take it in three. Today was the best serving day we’ve had in the playoffs. I think that made a big difference. We knew we could win it, came back in the fifth and got it done.”
Although it may be anti-climactic, Mira Costa is trying to add yet another banner to Fisher Gym. The Mustangs are the top seed in the CIF Southern California Regional Championships where they routed Southern Section Division 4 champion Cathedral 25-9, 25-12, 25-13 in the first round Tuesday using starters in only the first game.
Mira Costa (33-4) will host L.A. City Division 2 champion L.A. Jordan on Thursday at 7 p.m. Jordan swept South Torrance in the first round.
The championships will be played Saturday at Irvine Valley College (Div. III at 3 p.m., Div. II at 5 p.m., Div., I at 7:30 p.m.).
