Tess Whittet
Staff Writer
Mira Costa’s girls volleyball team is setting their season up for victory.
The team travelled to Las Vegas to compete in the Durango Tournament on Friday, September 16th, and Saturday, September 17th. They finished in seventh place in the championship bracket.
“We did a great job of getting a loud energy that helped the team perform on the next level,” sophomore volleyball player Malia Yuhl said. “We work hard to earn our points, that really helped us come together,”
Costa excelled during the first day of the tournament with victories in all their Pool Play matches. In its first match against Bonneville, the team ended with scores; 16-25, 25-19, 25-18. The Mustangs defeated Oak Ridge in its second match, 25-20 and 25-18. Costa’s final opponent was Faith Lutheran, who it defeated in two games, 25-13 and 25-19.
“Throughout the tournament, we realized that we have to play for each other and truly support each other even if we are not on the court,” sophomore volleyball player, Memphis Glasgow said.
Costa advanced into the championship bracket after taking first place in its pool. The team’s first match was set against Sacred Hearts, who they lost to, 26-24 and 25-13. The loss sent the Mustangs out of the winners bracket, down to a lower one.
“The Sacred Hearts are number sixteen in the nation and during that match we lost a bit of our energy,” Costa sophomore volleyball player, Caroline McQueen said.
The Mustangs played Torrey Pines next and Costa took the lead quickly in the first game with the score of 7-2. Torrey Pines pulled ahead causing Costa to lose after two games, with scores of 25-23 and 25-19.
“In the second set, we came out strong, so our opponents had to fight for their points, but towards the end Costa let go of the reigns just enough for them to get the win,” Yuhl said
Costa’s final match was against Kahuku. The Mustangs were able to win the match with the scores of 26-24 and 25-18. This final win resulted in the Mustangs placing seventh place in the championship bracket.
“I think seventh place is pretty good out of sixty four teams and I am proud of us, especially because we were one of the smallest teams in the tournament,” Glasgow said.
The Durango tournament enabled Mira Costa to compete at a higher level and face teams outside of their division. According to McQueen, this allowed the team to continue to work together as they prepare for their season.
“The tournament gave us the opportunity to implement what we’ve been working on in practice, bond as a team, and carry on the Costa volleyball tradition,” McQueen said.
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