SANTA ANA >> In their first meeting earlier this season, the Mater Dei boys volleyball team edged Mira Costa in five sets after dropping the first two games.
The Mustangs returned the favor Tuesday night in similar fashion, but this time a trip to the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals was on the line.
Mira Costa outlasted the No. 2 seed Monarchs in an intense five-set battle, 14-25, 34-32, 27-25, 25-13, 15-7.
The Mustangs (20-9) will host Newport Harbor in semifinal match Saturday.
The Mustangs showed a tremendous amount of poise despite falling behind 2-0, while Mater Dei (25-5) was unable to close out the match and make its first semifinal appearance since 2011.
Mira Costa with the epic comeback!!
The Mustangs defeat Mater Dei after falling behind 2-0, 14-25, 32-34, 27-25, 25-23, 15-7.
Newport Harbor at Mira Costa on Saturday in the Div 1 semifinals.@ocvarsity @ocboysvball @breezepreps pic.twitter.com/mFrPbavwu7
— David Delgado
(@DavidDelgado_OC) May 4, 2022
Mira Costa coach Avery Drost was relieved to be on the victorious end of the five-set classic.
“We’ve lost in five (sets) several times this year,” Drost said. “We’ve lost a bunch of tough five-setters and I’m just so happy for them that they came back in a five-setter, forgot being down 0-2, just to win a fifth set in general, I’m so proud of them.”
Mick Bakos led the Mustangs attack with 17 kills and sophomore outside hitter Victor Loiola had 16 kills. Stone Seligson contributed 10 kills while middle blocker Murphy Glasgow added nine kills.
Drost was proud of Bakos and his performance.
“I think Mick Bakos, as a senior outside (hitter) really rose to the occasion,” he said.
The Monarchs came out swinging and jumped out to a 25-14 victory in the first set, but found themselves trailing 21-15 in the second set.
Eli McGhee and Brett Bruder sparked a rally that saw Mater Dei rattle off six consecutive points to tie the score 21-21. Both teams had multiple opportunities to seize the second set but the Monarchs were able to make enough plays and take a 2-0 lead.
Drost credited his assistant coaches for helping him remain calm after losing that crucial set.
“Those guys helped me stay calm because it took me a while to shake off some of the mistakes we made to let them back in the game,” he said.
Mater Dei went on another late run in the third set and had a chance at match point but the Mustangs regrouped and were able to take the set and avoid the sweep.
Monarchs coach Jake Nuneviller tipped his cap after the defeat but was proud of his team for their efforts.
“I love every single one of these kids, they never gave up, they fought hard, today (Mira) Costa was the better team,” he said.
“I have a ton of respect for Mater Dei and the way they just played. Similarly, I have the utmost respect for Newport Harbor,” Drost said.
Mira Costa defeated Newport Harbor in four sets in the 2021 final and lost to the Sailors in the 2019 championship game and the regional final.
“It’s a really beautiful thing for two volleyball schools like Newport Harbor and Mira Costa to come together and compete,” Drost said. “We were weren’t very good (in our first meeting) and we grew a lot from that so I’m excited we have an opportunity to roll it out there again.”
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