Katia Jenkins Brown
Staff Writer
Despite ferocious energy and strong determination, Costa’s girls volleyball team lost to Redondo Union High School, 3-0.
The Mustangs lost to the Seahawks on Thursday in a home game. The two teams were neck and neck, but Costa was ultimately defeated 25-23 in the first set, 27-25 in the second and 25-17 in the final set, ending the match 3-0.
“Redondo came out strong, and we knew we were facing a really tough team,” junior middle blocker Claire Haber said. “We didn’t step up to our fullest potential, and that hurt us in the long run.”
Throughout the first set, Redondo took the lead with the Mustangs close behind. Two blocks from sophomore middle blocker Piper Monk-Heidrich and three kills from junior opposite Britt Bommer helped the Mustangs fight for the lead.
“I think we came into the game scared when we should have been ecstatic,” Bommer said. “It was our first time playing in front of a large crowd, and it set us off.”
Junior outside hitter Alexa Underwood tied the game 22-22 with a powerful spike. Redondo fired back their own unreturnable serves, and after an energetic rally, Costa eventually lost the first set 25-23.
“Everyone started out nervous because it was a big game for us,” Underwood said. “It progressively got better, but we started in a rut. That hurt us in the end.
Costa took the lead point in the second set with a kill from Monk-Heidrick, rallying hard to stay ahead until the score was tied 9-9. Three more successful blocks from Monk-Heidrick and two from Haber tied the Mustangs again at 16-16.
“I was excited to score with those blocks,” Monk-Heindrick said. “We worked hard this week at practice, and getting those blocks is showing off all the hard work.”
Costa refused to go down without a fight and came back with fiery energy. Junior opposite Hannah Scott came through with three strong kills, leading the game at 25-24. Even after their vigorous playing, the Mustangs lost the second set, 27-25.
“After two losses in a row, I think we were playing to win instead of playing for each other,” Bommer said.
In the last set, Costa trailed behind Redondo, despite three kills and a signature surprise tip from Bommer. Unable to respond to the Seahawks powerful offense, the Mustangs lost the energy they started with and their chance at a lead.
“By the time we came back a little, it was already too late,” junior defensive specialist Amanda Montag said. “Luckily, the season isn’t over. This is a great learning experience for the next game.”
Costa’s attempts to gain a lead remained futile, and they lost their last set to Redondo, losing the match 3-0.
“It’s not fun to lose, especially to our rival,” Haber said. “I think we can learn from this and understand what we’re up against and come back swinging when we play them again.”
The Mustangs next play Palos Verdes in a home game on Oct. 21. Their current overall record is 19-4, and their Bay League record is 3-0.
“When we had our fire, it was good fire, and it definitely kept us where we were, and made the game neck and neck,” Scott said. “Next time we play them, we need to come out with more communication and believe in ourselves.”
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