Mira Costa advances to CIF quarterfinals in boys volleyball
Keith Waddell registered 10 kills in Mira Costa’s second-round win at Santa Margarita. The third-seeded Mustangs host No. 6 Dana Hills Saturday at 7 p.m. Photo
Third-seeded Mira Costa escaped a hostile environment Thursday with a 25-19, 25-9, 26-24 win at Santa Margarita advancing to the CIF Southern Section-Ford Division 1 quarterfinals Saturday when the Mustangs host No. 6 Dana Hills
Mira Costa setter Jackson Carr had 30 assists, spreading the ball around for Chris Orenic (15 kills) and Keith Waddell (10 kills) who led the Mustang attack. Scott Stephanoff had eight kills and three blocks and Brooks Varni recorded seven digs.
Mira Costa (29-4) swept Dana Hills (30-4) on April 28 during its championship run in the Redondo Varsity Classic and Orenic expects a battle in Saturday’s 7 p.m. contest.
“Everyone we play will bring their “A” game against us,” Orenic said. “There are a lot of teams in Division 1 that can win it all.”
The strength of the division is evident in the Powerade Fab 50 Boys Volleyball Rankings where seven of the eight remaining teams in the playoffs are ranked among the top 25 high school teams in the nation.
Loyola (29-1) is the top ranked team in the nation while Mira Costa (No. 3) and Esperanza (No. 4) could face each other in the semifinals if both survive their matches on Saturday. Servite (30-3-1) is listed at No. 5, Dana Hills is No. 11, San Clemente (26-6) is No. 16 and Westlake (23-4) holds down the No. 24 spot.
Semifinal matches are scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. with the finals being held Saturday, May 19 at Cypress College.
Bay League runner-up Palos Verdes (28-8) saw its season end with a 25-20, 29-27, 25-20 loss at Westlake.
In Division 3, Pioneer champion South Torrance (23-4) swept Santa Ynez 25-20, 25-16, 25-18 advancing to play at Crescenta Valley (21-5 in the quarterfinals.
Pioneer runner-up El Segundo (18-5) held off a tough Western team 25-19, 22-25, 26-28, 25-22, 15-12 and will host No. 1 Warren (28-3) on Saturday.
After upsetting No. 5 Downey in the first round, North Torrance (14-18) had its magic run out when the Saxons could not hold the lead in a 32-34, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17, 15-13 loss to No. 8 Rio Mesa (21-8).
In Division 4, Bishop Montgomery (14-17) ran out of gas losing to No. 3 Santa Monica 32-30, 27-25, 25-13.
In Division 5, second-seeded Chadwick and third-seeded Vistamar reached the quarterfinals. Chadwick (19-2) had little trouble with Laguna Blanca sweeping the match 25-13, 25-11, 25-16. The Dolphins host Saddleback Valley Christian (17-5) on Saturday.
Vistamar (17-5) fought off No. 10 Ontario Christian 27-29, 25-19, 20-25, 25-16, 15-11 to advance. The Vikings will play at No. 6 San Gabriel Academy (19-2) in their quarterfinal contest.