Girls’ Volleyball: Transfer of power keeps Mira Costa strong

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Mira Costa, with a 25-13, 25-20, 25-17 victory over Westlake in its Southern Section I-AA Division playoff opener, has officially begun its run to another state title.

Top-seeded Mira Costa (31-0), the two-time defending state Division II champion, started a bid for its 15th section title since 1972 on Thursday night with a strong performance by senior outside hitter Stevi Robinson, a U.S. junior national team member who transferred from 2006 Central Section Division I runner-up Bakersfield Stockdale before the season. (That’s Stevi, pictured above).

Robinson, who had 12 kills and two digs against Westlake, hasn’t won any tournament MVP honors like Mira Costa teammates Kendall Bateman, Falyn Fonoimoana or Lane Carico, but she played well in each of the events. Robinson has committed to Pepperdine and is No. 45 on PrepVolleyball.com’s list of Senior Aces, a compilation of the top 250 players nationwide in the Class of 2008.

Although Robinson led the Mustangs in kills in the victory over Westlake, she is also considered to be among the top two senior liberos in the country. Her defensive skills put her in elite company with Lauren Law, her teammate at Mira Costa.

Yep, the Mustangs are well-equipped to win their fourth state championship in a row and their seventh state title overall. And that’s just what I predict they’ll do.

-- Lauren Peterson

-- Image from www.calwestvolleyball.com