By Nick Lee
Staff Writer
In the first round of Division I California Interscholastic Federation playoffs, boys volleyball (22-5) defeated the Dos Pueblos Chargers (10-13) at home, winning the first set 25-13, losing the second 25-23, and winning the third and fourth 25-17 and 25-18, respectively.
Both teams came out with impressive offense, but the Mustangs broke away to a 14-9 lead with the help of junior opposite Jackson Wedbush’s five kills. Costa won the first game, 25-13.
“We needed to start CIF on a high note after that loss last week against Huntington,” junior libero Sam Jones said. “We went in with a lot of fire, which helped us go on some big runs.”
After dominating the first set, the Chargers fought back. Neither team was able to develop a consistent scoring pace. At 17-17, the Chargers went on a run, holding their first lead of the night. After a missed serve and an under-the-net violation, the Mustangs lost the set, 25-23.
“We lost a lot of momentum in the second game,” Wedbush said. “After that, we let them believe they had a chance.”
The Mustangs came back in the third game re-energized, holding a steady lead. Dos Pueblos was forced to call a time-out in hopes of slowing down the Mustangs, but Costa continued its run, winning 25-17.
“We regained our composure after that loss in the second,” Jones said. “We went back to the aggressiveness we came out with, which allowed us to push back.”
In the fourth and final set, the Chargers attempted to mount a comeback but came up short. With the help of senior outside Blake Markland’s six kills, the Mustangs led 18-13 and went on to win, 25-1. Yesterday, the Mustangs battled Servite High School at home, but scores were unavailable at the time of publication.
“We need to focus on all of the little things,” Wedbush said. “We also need to work on getting fired up on the court and on the bench.”
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