Mustangs fall short in five set thriller

South_3470 — ALL HANDS ON DECK: Senior Dane Johnson (left) and sophomore Dain Johnson (right) block their opponent’s ball in the CIF quarterfinals on May 12 against South Torrance High School. Courtesy of Ralf Stier

By Sammy Miller

Staff Writer

The Mustangs were unable to pull out a win against South Torrance in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) boys volleyball quarterfinals.

Costa lost to the Spartans 3-2 on May 12 in an away game. Senior opposite Bobby Barkley led the team with a high hitting percentage and aggressive serving.

“It felt great to be in CIF and it was a great season with our boys,” sophomore middle blocker Dain Johnson said. “Even though it sucks to lose, we all put 100% in it and played a great game.”

Costa started the first set with consistent passing and successful hits from sophomore opposite Sam Collins, but the Mustangs were unable to penetrate South’s defense, falling short, 25-20.

“South Torrance had a few long runs which gave them a lot of momentum they needed to get back in the set,” junior middle blocker Adam Sevier said.

Sophomore setter Jack Walmer ran Costa’s offense very effectively, causing Costa to win the second set, 25-21. Sevier also had a strong performance with multiple crosscourt kills and stuff blocks from the middle.

“We were able to shut down their big hitters early and put them in a hole where they couldn’t get out of,” Walmer said.

The Mustangs were extremely dominant in the third set, winning 25-15. Junior libero Lauch Farris not only had skillful digs, he also showed off his setting skills and set up senior outsides Max Cajuste and Dane Johnson for numerous kills.

“In sets two and three, we were blocking really well and our passing was really good which helped us a lot,” junior outside Thomas Kretschmer said.

In the fourth set, the Mustangs had a strong lead in the beginning, but the Spartans began to shut down Costa’s hitters with their blocks and won 25-20. Both teams captured two wins, so it came down to the final set and ended in a South Torrance victory of 16-14.

“We missed too many serves and we were playing too timid,” Kretschmer said. “They had a big crowd and I think it got to us but in the end it was a fun battle.”

The Mustangs are 11-4 overall and the game marked the end of Costa’s season.

“Both teams played really well and it was a tight battle until the very end of the match,” Sevier said.