Volleyball teams among Best of the West

Randy Angel|March 10, 2010

With only a week of action under their belts, the boys volleyball teams from Mira Costa and Redondo will get a litmus test this weekend when the squads compete in the prestigious Best of the West tournament in Poway.

Mira Costa is ranked No. 2 in the CIF Southern Section Division I pre-season poll behind Loyola. There is a strong possibility the Mustangs will face at least one of their division opponents. Among the 32 teams competing in the tournament, which includes top teams from the San Diego area and Hawaii powerhouses Iolani and Punahou, six teams join Mira Costa as top-ten teams in the Southern Section’s Division 1 rankings.

DJ White and the second-ranked Mura Costa Mustangs will get a good look at their Division 1 adversaries this weekend. Photo

Coach Mike Ninnis’ Mustangs opened their season with a 25-13, 25-19, 25-19 victory over Long Beach Wilson. Kevin Donohue recorded 11 kills and Eric Mochalski added 10 for Mira Costa, who will play Bellarmine (San Jose), Mission Viejo and Cathedral Catholic Friday in pool play.

Mira Costa tuned up for the upcoming tournament with a non-league game against Bishop Montgomery Tuesday. The Mustangs swept the Knights 25-10, 25-13, 25-13 behind Chris Orenic’s six kills. Bryce Miller had 18 assists and Kyle Burgoyne added four kills and nine digs. Bishop Montgomery is ranked No. 2 in Division 4.

Redondo began its season by defeating Los Alamitos for the first time in four years. Ryan Olson had 13 kills and seven aces, Riley Theunissen added nine kills and Michael Vellutato contributed 28 assists and four aces. Redondo recorded 16 aces in the 25-19, 25-13, 25-13 victory.

Last weekend, the Sea Hawks earned a fifth-place tie in their own Varsity Pre-Season Classic. Olson was selected to the all-tournament team, recording 45 kills and 10 aces in three matches.

Michael Vellutato and the Redondo Sea Hawks have their eyes set on the prestigious Best of the West tournament. Redondo tied for fifth place in its own Varsity Pre-Season Classic tournament last weekend. Photo

The Sea Hawks defeated South (No. 1, Div. 4) before losing to St. John Bosco (No. 4, Div. 1) in three games. Redondo rebounded to beat Santa Monica (No. 6, Div. 3) 2-0. Palos Verdes (No. 9, div. 1) tied for third in the tournament and will also represent the South Bay in Poway this weekend.

In a non-league match Tuesday, Redondo defeated North 25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 26-24.

Redondo’s pool play matches in the Best of the West tournament will be against Poway, St. Francis and Chico tomorrow. The Sea Hawks play a non-league match at Mater Dei Tuesday at 6 p.m. ER

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