Mustangs Keep Title Hopes Alive

With less than a week remaining in the regular season, the Mira Costa High Mustangs know that every match will be crucial and a 12-6 win on Tuesday over West Torrance helped to keep their hopes alive for a finish atop the Bay League standings.

"We played really well, our guys at the top took care of business and we need to continue to keep doing that and see how things fall," Coach Joe Ciasulli said.

The top two singles and doubles teams went 10-2 giving the Mustangs the cushion they would need to move their record to 4-2 in league play. Mira Costa needs to win out, if they are to have a chance to win the Bay League title.

"Today was a solid day, we have important matches coming up and we need to stay sharp, we need to win all of them," senior Devon Sousa said.

Sousa, was playing No. 1 singles for the Mustangs and had an easy time of it, winning 6-1 and 6-1. Sousa has been a steady point-getter this season - the Mustangs do not field the same group of players every match with junior Greg Scott and senior Parker Kelley often missing to a busy schedule of tournaments that conflict with the high school season. 

"Devon is a great tennis player, we really count on him and he's been taking on many of our opponent's best players with great success," Ciasulli said.

Playing in the No. 2 spot, junior Toni Cvitanic won all three of his singles matches easily (6-2, 6-0, 6-0). Cvitanic, who normally plays doubles, was impressive getting the best of West Torrance.

"I like to play singles, it was a good day today," Cvitanic said.  "Coach puts me where he needs me and whether its singles or doubles, I just like to play and help the team."

Rounding out singles play, Willem Kamoen picked up an important win in his second match, 7-6.  His win, gave the Mustangs their 10th point, clinching the victory. 

The No. 1 doubles team of Brian Humbarger and Matt Sumen were victorious in all three of their matches, winning 6-3, 6-3, 6-0.  Junior teammates Chris Standbrook and Will Wong recovered from a 3-6 defeat to win 6-2 and 6-1 against some experienced West Torrance players.

"It's been a rough season in some spots, but as a whole we are improving and that's good with some big matches ahead," Standbrook said. "It's our first year on varsity together and our communication has been better and better, when we are both playing well it makes us really tough to beat."

Wong and Standbrook have won seven out of their past nine matches, which will be prove to be important in what can be expected to be some close matches going forward.

"It will be about playing to our opponent's weaknesses and being focused mentally, every point counts and we know that we can't take any breaks, or relax in these last two matches," Sousa said.

Mira Costa travels to take on Redondo Union Thursday and finishes the Bay League season next week against Palos Verdes.