Volleyball comes in fourth in Vegas

By Zane Franklin
Staff Writer

The Mira Costa girls volleyball team finished in fourth place in the Durango Fall Classic Tournament. The tournament on Sept. 24 was in Las Vegas for two days.

“I had high expectations for the team. We finished in fourth, improved a lot, and had a great time,” Costa coach Lisa Zimmerman said.

The Mustangs entered the tournament playing the number-one seed Xavier College Prep Gators from Phoenix, Arizona. Costa was unable to take down the Gators in the first game but managed to emerge victorious in the last two games with scores 19-25, 25-18, and 25-21.

The Mustangs then faced the Peasant Grove High School Vikings from Utah. Costa swept the Vikings in two games with scores of 25-17 and 25-18. The Mustangs proceeded into the pool play, first facing San Diego’s Torrey Pines High School. Costa swept them in two close games with scores 25-22 and 25-21.

The Mustangs entered the top-eight when they swept Santa Barbara High School with scores of 25-22 and 25-18. They then opposed Redlands East Valley High School and narrowly won in the last minute, scoring 18-25, 25-23, and 26-24.

In an effort to make it to the top, the Mustangs played the La Costa Canyon Mavericks from Carlsbad, California, bur Costa was swept by the Mavericks and lost 16-25 and 24-26.

 The Mustangs finally competed against Long Beach Poly High School in an effort to finish in third place. Unfortunately, Costa was swept by Long Beach and lost 14-25, 22-25.

The top performers of the tournament, seniors Emma White and Andi Zbojniewicz, were both named to the All-Tournament Teaw, while senior Jace Pardon contributed throughout the tournament.

The Mustangs (0-2) will travel to Los Alamitos High school on Sept. 30 for an away match against the Griffins.