Katia Jenkins Brown
Staff Writer
Despite a stunning display of teamwork and athleticism, Mira Costa girls volleyball lost to Matre Dei.
The Mustangs lost to the Monarchs in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) quarterfinals at an away game on Saturday. Costa won the first set 25-19, but lost the second set 25-27, and the third set 29-27. Costa was unable to regain the set lead, and the fourth set 26-24, ending the game 3-1.
“It’s always a bummer to lose,” junior middle blocker Claire Haber said. “We are more disappointed in our season being over than the actual outcome of the game.”
Costa started off the first set strong with three kills from junior middle blocker Amanda Montag, and four saves from senior libero Emma Smith keeping the team from falling behind. A strong spike from junior middle blocker Britt Bommer put the team ahead at 15-9.
“We came out strong and fiery on the first set,” Bommer said. “There was no way we were going to let this game get away from us.”
The Mustangs continued with their fire on the court with service aces from senior libero Sara Feld. The powerful starting lineup rallied hard against the Monarchs’ troublesome outside hitters and earning the Mustangs a 25-19 set victory.
“This first lead set the tone for the rest of the game,” Montag said. “It proved that we could fight for the win if we really wanted it.”
In the second set, Costa began to fall behind due to six outs, two out of bound blocks, and a long serve from Feld. According to Montag, Costa took two timeouts to discuss plans to come back, as well as to motivate the team.
“During our time outs we talked about how we’ve come so far,” Montag said. “We reminded each other that all we had to do was believe in each other, and go out there and give it all we’ve got.”
Despite the motivational talk and two powerful kills from junior middle blocker Alexa Underwood and junior middle blocker Alexia Inman, the Mustangs could not recover from the Monarchs’ powerful offense, and they eventually lost the set 25-20.
“The loss did not upset us, it just motivated us to win next round,” senior opposite Ashley Anselmo said. “Even though we didn’t win, it was still obvious to us how much we had progressed through the season.”
In the third set, Costa came back with a fierce energy, matching Matre Dei head on with swift and powerful kills from senior middle blocker Taylor Cottle and senior opposite Ashley Anselmo.
“Since the second game got away from us, we went in scared,” Bommer said. “Instead of working as a team, we played for ourselves.”
Despite the Mustangs strong start, Matre Dei gained the upper hand and Costa lost its lead. Bommer came through with two of her signature tips, but it was not enough. In the end Costa lost 29-27, but proved they do not go down without a fight.
“Players weren’t in their normal rhythm, and there was a feeling of desperation on the court,” Bommer said. “The good vibes we had were replaced by the need to win, and we spiraled out of control.”
In the fourth and final set, neither team was willing to give up its lead. Beginning with a kill from Cottle, a hard rally broke out on the court. A kill from senior setter Erin McCarthy and three more from Montag lead to a tied score, 17-17.
“Sometimes sets go your way, and sometimes they don’t,” Montag said. “Whatever the call is, you just have to accept it, bounce back, and get the next point.”
The fourth set ended with strong attempts at a comeback through two kills from both Montag and Underwood, and Feld dominating against the other team with her serves. After a fierce rally for the winning point, Costa eventually lost 26-24.
“We went out there and played our hardest today,” Anselmo said. “The score might not show it, but we did really well. Our progress through the season was tremendous.”
Costa finished off their season 30-5 overall and is ranked 32nd nationally and 9th in the state. According to Anselmo, the team is celebrating the seniors’ last game, and the unity between the players who now consider each other family.
“At the end of the night, we all just felt extremely lucky that we had a chance to play with each other,” Haber said. “We’re amazing and talented girls, and our progression as a team and a family is much more important than the score.”
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