Corona del Mar Beats Mira Costa to Win 4-A Boys’ Volleyball Title

Corona del Mar High School, sparked by the blocking of Jason Perkins and Chad Steelberg, defeated Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, 16-18, 15-12, 15-6, 15-8, in the Southern Section 4-A boys’ volleyball championship match Saturday at Marina High in Huntington Beach.

Perkins, a 6-foot-4 middle blocker, and Steelberg, a 6-1 outside hitter, led Corona del Mar after it lost a draining first game. In all, Corona del Mar had 34 stuff-blocks, including eight in the fourth game.

Perkins was tops with 11; Steelberg had nine.

“We really focused on our blocking,” said Charlie Brande, Corona del Mar coach. “After that first game, we started reading their setters much better.”

Corona del Mar (16-2) had three game points in that first game but could not win. Mira Costa (21-1), the playoffs’ No. 1-seeded team, won the game on a block by Zach Small.

Matt Herrington had 22 kills for Corona del Mar, Chris Pliha 20, Matt Cwiertnia 14 and Perkins 13.

David Swatik had 16 kills for Mira Costa and Jason Stimpfig 14.