Girls’ Volleyball: Costa Mesa takes down rival in four sets
Chalk one up on the Costa Mesa side of the ledger in the annual Battle of the Bell all-sports rivalry with Estancia.
The Mustangs girls’ volleyball team won the first of two meetings with the Eagles this season, finishing off Estancia in four sets Friday at the Costa Mesa gym, 20-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-22.
“We played the way we wanted to play,” Mesa Coach Todd Hanson said. “We kind of dictated the pace. We played awesome defense. I’m so proud of all the girls.”
“I think the difference in tonight’s match was ball control,” Estancia Coach Matt Carlin said, admitting a lineup change this week contributed to some growing pains. “They passed the ball better than we did. They played better defense than we did and that’s really what it came down to.”
Estancia led only once in the opening set before rallying to tie it at 19. The Eagles then reeled off six of the next seven points, including five straight to take the first set 25-20. Senior outside hitter McKenna Covey hammered two of her team-high 15 kills in the last three points.
“We came out fired up, I think a little too fired up and we had the jitters to begin with,” Hanson said. “They battled hard and won that first set. The girls were pumped but we just needed to calm down a little bit.”
The Mustangs (6-7, 1-2 in league) settled in to take a second set that featured seven lead changes before reeling off 13 of the final 16 points. 25-15 in the second and the match was even at a set apiece.
The Mustangs momentum built through the third set as they scored nine of the final 12 points to take a 2-1 match lead, 25-22. Then clinched with a fourth set win by the same score.
“We were all super energetic, which was super fun,” said Mesa junior outside hitter Courtney Moore, who finished with a team-high 15 kills. “Everyone had a good attitude and wanted it for each other.”
Moore also had five blocks. Felicia Crenshaw finished with 14 kills and three blocks. Ayauna Taylor had 18 digs and Malia Tufuga led the Mustangs with 15 assists.
“Of course it being our rival, it was just inspiring,” Carlin added. “The crowd was amazing. It was awesome.”
Sarah Graham added 10 kills for Estancia (13-4, 1-2) with Olivia Toohey leading the team in assists.
The rivals meet again on Oct. 18.