By Randy Angel
In a battle between two of the top teams in CIF Southern section Division 1, Mira Costa’s boys volleyball team took one step closer to winning at least a share of the Bay League title when the Mustangs swept visiting Palos Verdes Tuesday afternoon.
The win avenged a loss to the Sea Kings in the first meeting between the two squads and moved the Mustangs into a first-place tie.
Fifth-ranked Mira Costa (15-3, 5-1) used a strong defense and a match-high 19 kills by Roy McFarland in its 25-15, 25-15, 30-28 victory over No. 3 Palos Verdes (17-5, 5-1).
“It was a good win, a win we were obviously focused on getting as one of our goals is to win league,” Mira Costa coach Sean Shoptaw said. “We set the tone early winning the serve and pass match ups. Our blocking and defense really ignited us in some key stretches in each game.”
Mira Costa took a 15-11 lead in the first game before pulling away as Palos Verdes shot itself in the foot finishing the match with 28 unforced errors.
In the second game, the Mustangs battled back from a 13-9 deficit and, after Dane Johnson’s ace tied the game 13-13, Mira Costa went on a 12-2 run culminating with blocks by setter Rob Mullahey and middle blocker Jake Tolt.
“Roy (McFarland) played a typically great match and Tolt was a huge factor in the middle setting a strong tone at the net and had some critical kills along the way,” Shoptaw explained. “Mullahey set a very good match, pushing the tempo, helping us get the matchups we were looking for coming in.”
Tolt finished with nine kills and six blocks and Mullahey recorded 42 assists in the win.
Mira Costa fell behind early in the third game but fought back to tie the game 21-21 eventually pulling out the 30-28 win.
Jackson Wedbush added 10 kills for Mira Costa and libero Sam Jones finished with 15 digs. The Mustangs limited the Sea King’s top scorer, Brad Maricle, to 14 kills and six digs.
“Winning important matches against good teams is always a good thing as we look to solidify our identity as a team. That’s why we play the tough schedule we do,” Shoptaw said. “We love to compete and feel like we’ve proven we’re a tough team for anyone to deal with when we execute at the level we expect.”
The victory over Palos Verdes marked the third consecutive sweep for Mira Costa including a 25-22, 22-15, 25-19 home win against rival Redondo last Thursday.
After a league road game at Peninsula on Thursday, Mira Costa will compete in Santa Barbara at the Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions this weekend.
“We’re feeling good heading up to Santa Barbara but it’s about continuing to show it and constantly improve,” Shoptaw said. “It will be a tough weekend and we have to put this win behind us.”
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