Lacrosse, Volleyball, Track Showdowns

The Mira Costa High School boys lacrosse team faces arch-rival Palos Verdes on Friday night. After earning an impressive 14-2 victory over Loyola on Monday night at home, it took the Mustangs just a few minutes before they were ready to look ahead to the PV showdown.

“We played a good game tonight,” said senior Marcus Egeck on Monday. “But we’re going to have to play even better against Palos Verdes on Friday.”

The Bay League game Friday is big, but it’s just one of many the Mustangs hope to play this season. They got a taste of big-time success last year when they finished second to PV in league play, but stepped up in the playoffs to take the county title before losing to Foothill for a CIF championship.

“The tradition here is very strong,” said first-year Coach Chris Jewett. “It’s nice to be a part of this. I know there’s a lot of pride on this team and these guys are working hard.”

Jewitt replaced former Coach David Vinci, who started the Mira Costa lacrosse program seven years ago.

The Mustangs started the season on a low note, losing a nonleague game to Foothill, 15-5. Since losing to San Clemente, however, they have come on strong. They defeated Downey, 29-4, on Wednesday to improve to 6-2.

“We’re getting better,” said Egeck, who had four goals against Loyola. “We’ve been together a long time this year, from September on, and there’s a bond that’s forming.”

Tom Farrell, a 6-foot-4 senior who also started on the basketball team and is headed to Lehigh University in the fall, leads the Mustangs’ offense. He has 14 goals and is the team leader in assists.

He’s far from the only threat—in addition to Egeck, Chris O’Brien has 19 goals and Ryan Silver is a strong player as well. Austin Hafdell had five goals against Downey.

Ryan Kole had four goals against Downey, and has also proved to be adept at the face-offs that follow every goal, winning far more than 50 percent of those challenges and giving Mira Costa repeated possessions.

Other Mira Costa standouts include senior defender Cody Smith, Tajee Mobley, Travis Meersand, Julian Trivers and goalie Jon Mayfield. Dakota Randall, another strong leader, is currently out with a serious back injury but hopes to return for the playoffs.

“We can go all the way if we just keep getting better,” Kole said. “I think we’re getting better every week now.”

For now, though, there’s that little matter of Palos Verdes. The Sea Kings have ambitions of their own and plenty of talent to go with it. PV’s first-year coach, Jimmy Borell, is at least as excited by the first of two league showdowns as the players.

“The intensity and tenacity that you see in the game is just awesome to watch,” he said. “It brings out the best in both teams. The last six games have been split right down the middle and usually by no more than one or two goals.”

The defending Bay League champion Sea Kings could have one of their best teams this year. Junior Zack Fixen is a versatile offensive player, while junior captain Zack Henkhaus has already committed to Bucknell.

One thing is for sure. No matter who emerges as the Bay League’s best teams, the two schools—Mira Costa and PV—have helped put lacrosse on the map.

“It’s a very intense rivalry,” Borell said. “I don’t see it dying down anytime soon. I am really looking forward to our game Friday.”

Redondo Steps Out

It’s not easy laboring in the shadow of a powerful rival, especially one as consistently strong as the Mira Costa High boys volleyball team, which Redondo Union volleyball coach Duncan Avery and his Sea Hawks know all about that.

But guess what? This year is different.

No matter what happens in the Bay League race that starts next week, the Sea Hawks shouldn’t labor in anyone’s shadow this season. They are a force in their own right. Shine the spotlight on them and enjoy the show.

“This is a special team, a special season for us,” Avery told Patch on Thursday. “This is my fourth year here and some of these guys have been with us from the start… We have so much experience. There’s over 30 years of varsity experience on this team. In prep sports, experience means a lot.”

While Mira Costa has gotten off to an unbeaten start and is ranked No. 1 in CIF Division I, Redondo is ranked No. 5 after starting the season 15-3.

The Sea Hawks won their own Redondo tournament to start the season and finished ninth in the Best in the West tournament after a disappointing loss to La Costa.

The Sea Hawks also lost to Loyola, ranked No. 3, in the Best in the West tournament. Redondo faces Loyola again Friday at home in its last nonleague match.

“It’s pretty exciting it worked out this way,” Avery said. “Do we belong in the top five in CIF? Do we belong on the court with the big dogs? We’ll find out.”

Avery is convinced the Sea Hawks have a chance to beat Mira Costa in league.

“They don’t rebuild, they reload,” he said. “They’re so deep on every level. I still feel like we have a chance to beat them… When you lose four years in a row to a team, you’re not going to be favored. But if we play our best volleyball, and it has to be our best, we’ve got a chance.”

The Sea Hawks aren’t just experienced—there’s plenty of talent in the program Avery has been building steadily for four years.

Senior outside hitter Ryan Olson is a four-year varsity player. The other four-year varsity player, senior Austin Moore, is battling back and knee injuries that ruined his basketball season, but if he can come back he would give the Sea Hawks another quality athlete.

Senior outside hitter Riley Theunissen, who is 6-foot-3, has been a varsity player since his sophomore year. Senior middle blocker Greg Evans also has been on the varsity team for three years.

Senior setter Andy Price has great experience. Senior outside hitter Trevor Butler transferred from Mira Costa last year. Junior libero Kevin Fender comes from Bishop Montgomery and adds quality depth. Senior Brandon Hiehle adds depth.

Along with their experience, the Sea Hawks have benefited from two players who seem to have come out of nowhere: senior middle blocker Ryan Mather and freshman Louis Richard.

Mather, a disappointment as an outside hitter last year, has been fabulous in his new position. The 6-foot-6 Mather was named the Redondo MVP and has made a big difference from Day 1.

“Him being able to concentrate more on blocking and hitting has made a difference,” Avery said. “He’s playing so well. His size and athletic ability make us a better team.”

In addition, 6-foot-3 freshman Richard has lived up to his reputation as one of the top freshmen in the country.  

“Most years there’s no question he would start for us,” Avery said. “But we’re so deep he comes off the bench. But I’m telling you there are days in practice when he looks like he should start. He’s really pushing our starters.”

Track tradition

Mira Costa High will host its 17th annual Mustang Relays on Saturday, starting at 9:30 a.m.

There will be 17 schools competing in the annual meet, including Mira Costa, Redondo, West Torrance and Torrance.

The emphasis will be on relay events, but there will be open competition in the 100-meter dash, 1,600-meter race, 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles.

More Action

Mira Costa boys volleyball team faces Newport Harbor at home Friday at 7 p.m. in a battle of CIF powers.

Palos Verdes faces LB Wilson Saturday morning in the Redondo invitational baseball tournament. Peninsula faces San Pedro in an intriguing CIF-City Redondo tournament game.

Mira Costa baseball team is at Carson High Saturday night. Mira Costa softball team is in the Katella Tournament on Saturday, which should give the Mustangs a good idea of where they stand going into the Bay League.