Mira Costa victorious in Karch Kiraly tournament
The Mira Costa boys volleyball team fell short in key nonleague matches against Loyola and Corona del Mar in late March.
The Mustangs regrouped to win their next three matches.
They carried that momentum into the Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions in Santa Barbara this past weekend, and they defeated Newport Harbor in the final, 25-21, 25-18, 21-25, 25-16, Saturday.
It was the first time the Mustangs have won the tournament since 2013.
“It's huge in terms of our confidence,” Mira Costa coach Greg Snyder said. “I think we were shaken after the Loyola loss and we hadn't recovered when we faced Corona del Mar and it rattled them a bit.
“I think this puts us back on track. We played a lot of good teams. Marist from Chicago was ranked higher than us in one poll and we beat Newport Harbor … It was a tough tournament.”
The tournament was a two-day event, with all matches in the traditional best-of-5 format.
The Mustangs (25-3 overall) began the tournament Friday by sweeping West
Ranch (25-13, 25-16. 25-10) and Del Norte (26-24, 25-8, 25-16).
On Saturday, the Mustangs defeated Marist (25-18, 16-25, 25-18, 25-21) and Newport Harbor. Newport Harbor was without outside hitter Riggs Guy.
“They had to do some shuffling, but they still played incredible defense, ball control and tough serving,” Snyder said. “We know the next time we see them will be tougher.”
It was the third meeting between the teams this season. Newport Harbor won the first match in five sets on March 6 and Mira Costa won in two sets when the teams met in the finals of the Best of the West Invitational on March 9.
“There wasn't a lot of break for the starters,” Snyder said. “We've had good preseason prep for tough tournaments.”
Victor Loiola earned tournament MVP honors. Cooper Keane, Johnny Dykstra and Stone Seligson earned alltournament honors.
Mira Costa will conclude the regular season this week. After a Monday match against Santa Monica, the Mustangs will host rival Redondo on Wednesday and travel to Culver City on Thursday.
Pairings for the CIF-Southern Section playoffs will be released Saturday at 10 a.m.
1. NORTH TORRANCE (14-7-1)
The Saxons defeated Mira Costa in eight innings. They also shut out Wiseburn Da Vinci 9-0 in a Pioneer League clash as Nichole Orozco went 3 for 4 with four RBIs and Isis Jones pitched a one-hitter with 10strikeouts. North hosts Torrance (Wednesday) and Lawndale (Friday) this week.
2. WEST TORRANCE (18-4)
Since losing to North, West has wins over Torrance (5-4) and South (7-3). This week, the Warriors will host El Segundo (Wednesday). They won their last meeting with the Eagles 2-1.
3. TORRANCE (15-6-1)
Torrance lost to West 5-4last week. The Tartars have a three-game week with Pioneer League games set for Wednesday (at North) and Friday (home against Wiseburn Da Vinci).
4. REDONDO (13-5)
The Sea Hawks return to action this week with a three-game Bay League schedule. After Monday's road game against Culver City, the Sea Hawks visit Palos Verdes (Wednesday) and Santa Monica (Friday).
5. EL SEGUNDO (13-8)
After going 3-0 in a spring break tournament, the Eagles returned to Pioneer League play last week with a 12-0win over Wiseburn. This week El Segundo visits West (Wednesday) and hosts South (Friday).
Tennessee's Rickea Jackson heads to the stage after the Sparks selected her with the fourth overall pick of Monday's WNBA Draft at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
In addition to her defensive prowess as a dynamic shot blocker, Brink, described as a modern basketball player by Pebley, could emerge as a stretch forward and a willing shooter from 3-point range while being an effective interior player who shoots nearly 85% from the free-throw line.
“I love that I get to stay on the West Coast,” Brink told reporters in New York. “And I love that (the Sparks) took a chance on me, and I feel like I'm just going to show that I can work really hard and help them a lot.”
Sparks guard Lexie Brown said she is looking forward to playing with the team's first-round picks.
“They did a great job,” Brown said. “They didn't succumb to the chatter of who they think that they should pick, who is going to sell tickets, who is going to get the most views or something like that. We picked two amazing players that are going to do just that, sell
6. PALOS VERDES (13-4)
The Sea Kings lost to Santa Monica 2-0 on Friday. Freshman Daniella Boccanfuso allowed two unearned runs, five hits and had seven strikeouts. After a game Monday game against Culver City, PV will host Redondo (Wednesday) and Mira Costa (Friday).
7. SAN PEDRO (11-4)
The Pirates defeated Banning 6-1 and Gardena 14-0 to remain undefeated in the Marine League. After facing Rancho Dominguez on Monday, San Pedro visits Narbonne (Thursday).
8. CARSON (10-7-2)
After losing to Carson 3-2, the Colts defeated Gardena and Narbonne by a combined score of 45-2. After Monday's meeting with Banning, the Colts will face Rancho Dominguez (Thursday).
9. MIRA COSTA (10-10-1)
The Mustangs snapped a three-game losing streak with a 10-6win over Peninsula Friday. The Mustangs host Culver City (Wednesday) and visit Palos Verdes (Friday).
10. BANNING (8-12)
The Pilots lost to San Pedro and defeated Rancho Dominguez 15-0last week. After a showdown with Carson on Monday, the Pilots visit Gardena (Thursday) and Mary Star (Friday).
Also considered: Wiseburn Da Vinci 1011-1, Bishop Montgomery 5-8, Leuzinger 15-2.
(Records through Sunday)
tickets and get views. They fit in this in this culture, perfectly, seamlessly.”
Brown, who said she is excited to play with Brink, revealed that the Sparks' front office picked her brain over the last few weeks to get her opinion on who the team should draft.
“I had some conversations with them the last few weeks, who they were considering. They really did ask me how I felt about this upcoming draft class and it meant a lot me. I think they did a great job and I'm really excited,” Brown continued.
The Sparks had acquired the fourth overall pick in a trade with the Seattle Storm during the free agency period. Jackson, a 6-2 forward, averaged 20.2 points and 8.2 rebounds as a senior for the Volunteers.
“I'm just grateful that L.A. believed in me,” she told reporters at the draft. “They see something in me, and I see something in them, too. I had great talks with them prior to the draft, so I'm just grateful for it all.
“I feel like I'm excited to bring my versatility, play at any position, taking advantage of whether it's a small guard on me or bigger or slower player. I'm excited about that.”
Sparks guard Zia Cooke was pleased with the addition of Jackson.
“(The Sparks are) getting a dominant player,” Cooke said. “She talks her stuff too. She doesn't play around. I think that's that Detroit in her. She's going to come and she's going to be ready to play. I think it's going to be great. She's a great listener. She wants to be better each and every day. She deserves to be here. She's a great fit for us.”
The Sparks selected USC's McKenzie Forbes with their third-round pick (28th overall). The 6-foot forward averaged 14.3 points and shot 37.4% from 3-point range as a senior.
— Damian Calhoun