Boys volleyball dominates Newbury Park 3-1

Sean McDonald

Staff Writer

Mira Costa’s boys volleyball team defeated Newbury Park 3-1 in a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) round of 16 away game on Thursday.  The scores were 24-26, 25-16, 25-23, and 25-15.

The Mustangs fell in the first set after a back and forth effort game that finally ended 24-26 in favor of Newbury Park.  It was a combination of some early game confusion and the competitive effort put forth by the other team that made the first set the toughest for the Mustangs.  

“The start of the game was a little tough,” senior opposite Jackson Wedbush said.  “They came out playing hard.”

Costa rallied in the second set, winning 25-16 settling into the away game atmosphere.  The Mustangs began to play as a team , connecting on all of their passes and they started coming up with some solid kills and digs propelling them to a nine point victory.  

“I think we definitely were more comfortable in the second set,” Wedbush said.  “Our passes were smoother and the overall play was much better.”

Newbury Park managed to put up a stronger effort in the third game, losing by only 2 points, but the Mustangs pulled through and won the match 25-23.  Despite a slow start to the match, Mira Costa battled through the third set and emerged victorious.  

“The third set was a turning point in the game and I think was the most important match,” Wedbush said.

Mira Costa finished off Newbury Park in the fourth set, winning in a commanding fashion, 25-15.  The Mustangs showed their dominance and revealed why they are ranked third in the nation with their easy victory in the last set, sending them on to the next round of CIF.   

“We knew a road game would be a little tough but we came in and took care of business,” senior setter Rob Mullahey said.

Mira Costa is now 24-5 overall and will next play Tesoro in the CIF quarterfinal at home on Saturday.  Senior outside hitter Roy McFarland says the team just needs to concentrate and take it one step at a time.  

“We just need to take it step by step and put full focus into each game,” McFarland said.