Costa, Redondo set for first Bay League boys volleyball showdown
Mira Costa’s Jackson Wedbush, shown hitting against second-ranked Loyola, was named Player of the Game after the Mustang’s win at Punahou High School in Hawaii. Photo
With Mira Costa’s boys volleyball sitting firmly in the third position in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 rankings, Redondo hopes to move back into the top ten with a win over its rival when the Sea Hawks host the Mustangs Thursday at 7 p.m. in the first of two Bay League meetings.
Mira Costa enters the match firing on all cylinders having not lost since being swept by Loyola (No. 2, Div. 1) on March 20. The Mustangs displayed their mettle last weekend at the Clash of the Titans in Honolulu, HI..
On Friday, Mira Costa jumped out to an early lead against Hawaii Baptist with 25-21, 25-8 wins. Hawaii bounced back winning the next two sets 18-25, 23-25 but the Mustangs prevailed with a 15-9 win in the final set.
The Punahou match on Saturday mirrored Mira Costa’s first match. The Mustangs beat the host school 25-18, 25-20 before dropping the next two 19-25, 18-25.
Jackson Wedbush, who led Mira Costa in kills during the weekend, was named Player of the Game.
“Senior outside hitters Blake Markland and Cole Anderson also both had strong matches,” said Mira Costa head coach Sean Shoptaw, whose team improved its record to 12-2. “Senior middle blocker Carter Kimble had a great all around weekend, hitting, blocking and serving.”
Although Mira Costa was playing more than 2,500 miles from home, the team had plenty of support with approximately 15 families making the trip. Mira Costa alum Jahlani Tavai was also on hand to cheer on his former teammates. Tavai played for the Mustangs last season as a senior and is now attending the University of Hawaii on a football scholarship.
Mira Costa opened Bay League action defeating Palos Verdes 3-1 and Peninsula 3-0 and hosts Morningside at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday. Thursday’s match with Redondo is one the players have circled on their calendars.
Libero Ian Pizzuti makes one of his 13 digs in Redondo’s sweep of Bishop Montgomery. Photo
“We’re excited to play Redondo, it’s an important league match against a good team,” Shoptaw said. “I expect Redondo to play well, so we’ll need to be focused and ready to counter that. I feel good about where we are at this point in this season, we still have a lot of room to grow, but I expect us to put on a good show on Thursday.”
The Mustangs continue to prepare for the postseason when they play in the Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions in Santa Barbara Friday and Saturday.
Mira Costa returns to Bay League competition with road matches against Palos Verdes and Inglewood on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Redondo got a boost last Friday with the return of 6-foot-8 middle hitter Lucas Lossone who had missed a month of action with a broken thumb.
Lossone recorded nine kills, eight digs and two aces in leading Redondo to a 25-10, 25-18, 25-19 win over visiting Bishop Montgomery in a non-league match. Brandon Webb added five kills and two aces, Dominic Cangialosi had six kills and five digs, setter Sean-Michael Cramer recorded 32 assists and two aces and libero Ian Pizzuti chipped in with 13 digs.
The Sea Hawks opened league action with an easy win over Inglewood but hosts a talented Palos Verdes team at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday. The Sea Kings have quality wins over Corona del Mar, Servite and Long Beach Poly this season. Redondo plays at Peninsula on Tuesday.