Nick Lee
Staff Writer
Coming off the loss against Loyola last Friday, the Mustangs are now 7-2 and face Palos Verdes tonight in Fisher Gym.
After sweeping the first five teams at the start of the season, Costa finally met their match against Huntington Beach(13-0). The Oilers won the first set 25-17, however Costa won the next set 25-20. In the final set, Costa fell 15-10.
“Our season has gone pretty well,” Coach Sean Shoptaw said. “We have the talent to compete with anyone, we just have to use it.”
In the following game, Costa was swept by the Loyola Cubs at the annual game at Loyola Marymount University. In the first set, the teams traded leads, however Loyola soon one the first set 25-22. In the next set, Loyola dominated Costa holding a steady lead the entire set. In the final set, the Mustangs could not rally and lost 25-22
“I think the momentum of the match just got away from us at end,” junior Sam Jones said. “We need mental toughness and finish down the stretch.”
Last year, the team lost eight varsity players who contributed greatly to the team, including Connor Inlow and Will Kopenhefer. Now, the starting lineup consists of three juniors and three seniors.
“Thankfully we had so many returning players it was impacted our team that much,” Shoptaw said. “Those returning players bring even more experience too our team.”
The team has a bright future ahead, with just two losses against both the top two teams in the country. Costa will rematch Huntington on May, 7 and most likely replay Loyola in CIF.
“We need to continue bring intensity and fire to every match,” Jones said. “We also need to keep a high level of play throughout the year to help us succeed against the tougher teams down the road in CIF.”
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