By Hannah Proctor
Sports Editor
Mira Costa girls volleyball won in a three-game sweep on Tuesday in the first round of CIF against the Mission Viejo Diablos in Fisher Gym.
Coming off of a loss against rival Redondo the previous week, the Mustangs were focused on winning in the first round of CIF playoffs. Despite losing the first several points in the first game, Costa fought back and went on a seven-point streak led by senior outside hitter Grayce Campbell, who totaled 18 kills and 11 digs throughout the match.
“We worked on being focused after the loss to Redondo,” Campbell said. “We made sure that we fought for every point in this match.”
The girls won the first game, 25-16, and went into the second game with a lead. For the first half of the second game, the score went back and forth between the two teams. Costa was able to pull away with the help of senior setter Corie Bain who made successful assists, totaling 35 by the end of the match. Despite scoreboard confusion, the Mustangs won the second game, 25-22.
“We wanted to start off in CIF as if it were a new season,” coach Lisa Arce-Zimmerman said. “It really helps our confidence to come out so strong at home.”
For the majority of the third match, the score remained close. Costa managed to hold off Mission Viejo with the help of senior middle hitter Kelsey McIntire’s nine kills, senior libero Carley Muller’s 12 digs and junior libero Brooke Feld’s 13 digs. The team ended the match in a sweep and won the final game of the match by a score of 25-19.
“Coming out strong in the first round of CIF is really important,” Campbell said. “That way, we have a lot of momentum going into the second round.”
The Mustangs’ next round of CIF was played yesterday against Orange Lutheran, but the results were unavailable due to time of publication.
“We definitely need to stay focused,” McIntire said. “Sometimes when we get far ahead, we get complacent. We need to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
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