By Katie von Behren
Staff Writer

With Bay League rapidly approaching, the Mira Costa High School boys volleyball team travelled to Newport Harbor High on Tuesday for its last non-league game. The Mustangs defeated the Sailors in three sets, with scores of 25-21, 25-16 and 25-19, improving their record to 8-1 overall.

“We played with our skills and kept going as a team to get the win, which will keep us pumped for the League games,” junior outside hitter Andy Huchel said.

In the first set, senior setter Billy Kopenhefer started Costa off with the first and second points of the match, which were followed with kills from junior outside hitter Blake Markland and Huchel.

“We played really well with a strong start, keeping to the basics in each set,” Huchel said.

Contributing to Costa’s victory, senior opposite hitter Connor Inlow had two back-to-back kills to put Costa in the lead, 16-9, early in the set. Sophomore outside hitter Roy McFarland assisted with three points, and junior opposite hitter Carter Kimble put up six points for Costa in the game.

“It was a crucial win for our team, proving that we can keep up with the bigger programs,” McFarland said.

Markland started the second game with a quick kill to put the Mustangs on the board and then managed to contribute three more points throughout the game. Huchel followed with the second point of the game and later scored five more for Costa. Inlow also put up six points in the game.

“It was a good game for our team,” Markland said. “We all played solid volleyball, which got us the win.”

The Mustangs held a consistent lead in the second game with four assists from McFarland and a kill from junior setter Trevor Liu. Kimble contributed four points, including the final kill of the game for the Mustangs.

“It’s a great win,” coach Sean Shoptaw said. “We want to just keep building because we are a young team.”

Throughout the third, junior middle blocker Chris Caskey played a key role in stopping Newport’s attempts to kill and also added three points to the Mustangs’ board.

“They are always a good team, so it’s great to sweep them in just three,” Caskey said. “We need to stay fired up with good vibes if we are going to be able to beat anyone.”

The boys played their first Bay League game at home on Thursday against Peninsula but the results were unavailable due to time of publication. Boys volleyball plays next Friday against Loyola at 7 p.m.

“It was a good win against a good program,” coach Sean Shoptaw said.