Mira Costa’s girls volleyball team places fifth in prestigious tournament
Mira Costa senior Lexi Millington was named to the California Challenge All-Tournament team after the Mustangs finished fifth in the tournament hosted by Torrey Pines. File photo
Mira Costa’s girls volleyball team continued to prepare for the post season competing in the two-day California Challenge tournament where the Mustangs finished tied for fifth.
The competition was dominated by teams in CIF Southern Section Division 1-AA. Marymount, ranked fourth in the division, defeated second-ranked Mater Dei 25-17, 25-14 to win the tournament title.
Marymount defeated the nation’s top ranked team Torrey Pines 29-27, 25-10 in the semifinals, handing the host team only its second loss of the season.
Torrey Pines finished tied for third with Corona del Mar (No. 5 in Division 1-AA) while Mira Costa tied with Santa Margarita (No. 8 in Division 1-AA) for the fifth spot.
Mira Costa’s emotional four-set loss at Bay League rival Redondo (No. 1 in Division 1-AA) on Thursday didn’t seem to affect the Mustangs who won all three pool play matches in the tournament the following day.
The Mustangs defeated Buchanan 20-25, 25-19, 15-10, Santa Fe Christian 18-25, 25-22, 15-13, and St. Francis 25-23, 25-21.
On Saturday, Mira Costa beat Liberty (Bakersfield) 20-25, 25-20, 15-8 to advance to the Championship Bracket where the Mustangs fell to Torrey Pines 19-25, 26-28.
Lexi Millington recorded 43 kills and 43 digs during the tournament and was named to the All-Tournament team.
Grayce Campbell had 45 kills and 38 digs, Corie Bain added 104 assists, 13 kills and 20 digs and Carley Muller posted 49 digs for the Mustangs.
Mira Costa head coach Lisa Zimmerman was pleased with her team’s performance and optimistic as the Mustangs make their run toward the playoffs.
“We are feeling pretty good going into the second half of league,” Zimmerman said. “We feel we have some unfinished business that we need to clean up and are ready to take more control of the opportunities we are earning. I like the progress we have been making lately and the team is hungry to finish the season strong.”
Mira Costa returns to Bay League action Wednesday with a home match against Palos Verdes at 5:15 p.m. The Mustangs host West on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 5:15 p.m. and travel to Peninsula on Thursday, Oct. 25 for a 4:15 p.m. match.
Mira Costa will have an opportunity to avenge its loss to Redondo when the Mustangs host the Sea Hawks on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.