RUHS Boys Volleyball Pushes Top-Ranked Mira Costa

The Redondo Union High boys' volleyball team didn't get the victory that would have made an early mess of the Bay League race. But the Sea Hawks did gain plenty of confidence moving forward.

Despite being swept 25-21, 25-23, 26-24 by visiting Mira Costa on Thursday, Redondo was encouraged by how close it played in each game against the No. 1 team in Division I of the CIF-Southern Section.

"We played toe to toe with them," Redondo Union coach Duncan Avery said. "We played hard. If we play like we did tonight, we can play with any team."

The Sea Hawks (14-7, 1-2), who haven't defeated Mira Costa since 2006, were on the verge of sending the match to a fourth game.

A kill by Riley Theunissen had given Redondo a 24-23 lead and game-point, but Mira Costa's Kevin Donohue pounded a kill to even the score, and teammate Erik Mochalski recorded the final two points by blocking attempted spikes by Theunissen.

Redondo's six-point lead in the third game was the biggest of the night by either team. The Sea Hawks opened on a 5-0 run and didn't surrender the lead until the second-to-last point.

"They played really well," Mira Costa coach Mike Ninnis said. "We got saved by a couple timely blocks."

Game 2 also required a late-game comeback from the Mustangs (11-1, 1-0). Redondo, using solid defense and passing to overcome a size disadvantage, led 20-18, but Mira Costa scored the next three points and never trailed again. A kill by Redondo's Trevor Butler forced the game's 13th tie at 23-23, but Jace Olsen restored the Mustangs' lead for good with a kill.

Mira Costa held its biggest lead of the day in the first game, posting five-point leads on multiple occasions after taking the lead for good at 12-11.

The opening game also featured a play epitomizing the scrappy Sea Hawks' defensive strength. Olsen pounded a kill that put Mira Costa up 21-17, but not before a lengthy rally in which Redondo dug out his four previous attempts. The Sea Hawks closed within two, but a hitting error clinched the game for the Mustangs.

"They're big," Avery said of Mira Costa. "Their shortest player is probably taller than our tallest player. They're more physical and more experienced. I'm proud of the way we played tonight."

Theunissen led Redondo with 12 kills. Butler and Ryan Olson both added nine kills, with Olson also contributing 12 digs. Kevin Fender had 13 digs. Setter Michael Vellutato had 29 assists and a team-high four blocks.

Mochalski led Mira Costa with a match-high 13 kills.

"We've got to cut down on our errors," Avery said. "We had a lot of unforced errors at the end of the match. We've got to cut down on those."

Otherwise, the coach was pleased. "I like where we're at," he said. "I think our tough preseason prepared us for it. We're on the up and up right now."

The teams meet again in the final week of the regular season, May 4 at Mira Costa.