Mira Costa Boys’ Volleyball Team Battles Santa Barbara

Competitive matches have been few and far between for the Mira Costa High boys’ volleyball team, but Coach Mike Cook expects a test tonight.

The Mustangs, ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today, face Santa Barbara High, ranked eighth in the Southern Section 4-A Division coaches’ poll, at 7:30 in a non-league game at Mira Costa.

“They’re probably a better team than their ranking,” Cook said of Santa Barbara, which fell four places in the 4-A poll after squandering a two-game lead in a loss to fifth-ranked Dos Pueblos High of Goleta last week.

Mira Costa (13-0 and 10-0 in the Ocean League) has swept every match since its five-game victory over Edison of Huntington Beach on March 21.

Cook said the hard-fought victory at Edison was beneficial to the Mustangs, who have faced little opposition in the Ocean League.

“It turned out to be a neat match because it alerted us to the fact that we are vulnerable,” he said. “We overcame a lot of adversity to win.”

Edison has risen to No. 2 behind Mira Costa in the 4-A poll.

Cook said Patrick Ivie, Mira Costa’s standout middle blocker, has been slowed by the flu for several weeks, but will play tonight. Other key players include setter Canyon Ceman, outside hitter David Swatik and middle blocker Mike Ashenfelter.