No. 1 takes its revenge
Mira Costa was supposed to be the unstoppable superpower in boys volleyball this year, but when the Mustangs played Loyola in the finals of the Best of the West Tournament in Poway on March 8, the Cubs prevailed, just as they had last year in the Southern Section Div. 1 finals and the CIF State Southern California Regional Championships.
In fact, Loyola had beaten Costa 11 straight times spanning almost four years – an unprecedented winning streak against a fierce and capable rival – before the Mustangs shook off the monkey with a road sweep on March 21. Mira Costa (21-1) was ranked No. 1 in the state before that win, but the 25-19, 25-18, 25-20 decision cemented its status as the top team in both the Southern Section and the state.
Andrew Chapin dished out 40 assists for Mira Costa in the win, most going to Thatcher Fahlbusch, Mateo Fuerbringer, and Grayson Bradford, who combined for 35 kills. Alex Heins added seven kills and four blocks for the victors, whose service pressure was a big factor in the sweep.
Carlsbad is Beach-y keen
State No. 6 Carlsbad won the La Jolla Beach Cities Invitational last weekend. The Lancers swept Highland of Arizona in the finals behind Most Valuable Blocker Roman Payne.
La Jolla placed third and had the Most Valuable Libero in Nolan Spann. Fourth-place Scripps Ranch had the Most Valuable OH/OPP in opposite Jason Liku.
Gio Valencia helped Sanger place fifth overall, while Miles Custer and Francis Parker claimed sixth.
West Ranch, which earlier in the year won the Crescenta Valley First Serve Tournament (Noah Douphner MVP, Caleb Sperber, and Jackson Manansala All-Tournament), took seventh behind Douphner, who made the All-Tournament team.
Noah Douphner (21) is flanked by West Ranch teammates Caleb Sperber (1) and Jackson Manansala. West Ranch is off to a hot start in 2025
Broncs’ cheer
Northgate's two team tournament titles are the product of total team efforts
Northgate of Walnut Creek is 25-2 this season with two tournament championships. The Broncos are undefeated in the North Coast Section and have lost only to Clovis East of the Central Section, both by two sets to one. [Clovis East also recently dropped Oak Ridge of the Sac-Joaquin Section from the unbeaten ranks].
The success of the Northgate team is based on its powerful rotation of front row hitters and blockers, solid defense, accurate setting to a multitude of weapons, and outstanding coaching by head coach Joe Peacock and assistants Mitchell Woerner, Todd Steinert, and Iskander Herbert.
The team is anchored by the strong setting and serving of Zeon Hubp, who currently sits in the top 10 nationally in both assists and aces.
Northgate enjoys dominant hitting and blocking from Ingmar Nordberg, Trey Brousard, Cooper Kissack, Conor Walsh, and Jayden Kim, while Austin Chan, Apollo Balagtas, and Ethan Diaz lock down the team’s back row. The recent addition of transfer student, Connor Harze, to the front row will make an already-dominant team even more formidable.
Hat trick for Mater Dei
Mater Dei followed up its sweep of Santa Margarita Catholic on March 19 with two 3-1 wins over both Servite and JSerra Catholic. Mater Dei is 3-0 in the Trinity League and 11-8 overall after injuries contributed to a slow start to the season.
Ben Smith had 16 kills and Dylan Gallagher and Jeremiah Potasi had 13 apiece in the JSerra win.
Oh boys!
Archbishop Mitty continues undefeated even as head coach Lacey Gera-Anderson takes leave of the program. The former standout indoor player is expecting twin boys any day now! Congrats!!!
Shark citings
Congrats to record breakers Pierce Willardson and Carson Chambers of Santiago of Corona.
Willardson, a senior middle for the Sharks, broke the school's single-match record for blocks with 11 on March 11. He also holds the single-season and career blocks records at the school.
Chambers, also a senior, broke the school’s career record in assists.
Beckman wins top 25 showdown in Hawaii
Beckman, a top Southern Section team and No. 9 in the state rankings, is in Hawaii for the Hawaii Boys Invitational. The Patriots went 2-0 yesterday, including a sweep of No. 20 De La Salle, one of the top teams in the North Coast Section.
No. 10 Clovis went 2-0 yesterday to improve to 13-0 on the year. Poway has started 2-0, while Bullard is 1-1 after a win over Orange Lutheran and a loss to an Island team. La Jolla and Santa Barbara are still looking for their initial wins after a 0-2 start.
The 16-team tourney continues today and culminates on Saturday.