Mira Costa Stunned in CIF Volleyball Finals

The Loyola High boys volleyball team does not lose in the CIF finals, and the Cubs proved this fact again Saturday night at Cypress College when they defeated the No.1-ranked Mira Costa Mustangs in four sets (23-25, 27-25, 25-20, 25-16) for their sixth CIF-Southern Section title in 10 years.

The first set was very even until midway through when Costa made a strong push, gaining a 23-16 lead. The Mustangs utilized an uncomfortable, error-driven Loyola to make some very consistent runs and it looked as though Costa would run through the first set without any problems until Loyola senior Steven Irvin rattled off back to back kills, forcing a Costa timeout and a score of 24-18.

Right out of the timeout, Costa made a hitting error and was then called on a double. Loyola came out with three blocks, inching closer with the score at 24-23. Costa's Davis Waddell finished out the set 25-23 with a big kill in the middle.

"In set one, we were down 23-15, and once we made that eight- or nine-point run, we had all the momentum going,'' Irvin said. ''That first set, we made a bunch of errors--missed our serves, weren't passing as well--so they established the middle."

Mira Costa worked very hard in the second set to keep it close, but didn't take a lead until 16-15. Costa senior Kevin Donohue made his presence known during this set as he tried to bring great plays, but more important, some excitement and fire to his team.

It proved helpful, as Costa kept answering back, pushing the game to 27-25. A few too many Mustang errors toward the end of the set gave Loyola just what it needed to finish.

The third set looked to be more promising for Costa, as it kept the lead until 14-13. The offensive powerhouse of Irvin and senior Chad Smith was too much for Costa's defense and Loyola finished out the third set 25-20.

Loyola finished out the match with an unmatched offensive attack. It strung several series of points together to keep a strong lead throughout the entire fourth set. Mira Costa coach Mike Ninnis made one last attempt to stop the Cubs with a timeout at 24-16 but Irvin came out with the final kill of the night.

Ninnis and his team accepted their runner-up trophy with disappointment in their eyes.

"I don't think we blocked a ball the first game," Ninnis said. "We didn't execute like we have been and Loyola got hot and they stayed hot. Kudos to them--they really played a nice match tonight. ''

After the championship trophy ceremony, coach Michael Boehle and Irvin celebrated together and welcomed the entire crowd of Loyola fans that rushed the floor.

"I can't describe it right now,'' Irvin said. ''Back-to-back, it's something else. Great way to end it."