SOUTHERN SECTION 4-A VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS : Newport Harbor’s Hopes Thwarted by Swatik’s Kills

Dan Glenn, Newport Harbor boys’ volleyball coach, wore a worried look when he watched Mira Costa’s team warming up for its Southern Section 4-A quarterfinal game Thursday night.

“All we have to do,” Glenn said, “is stop the best player in the nation (David Swatik) and the best team.”

The Sailors failed to do either and Mira Costa, ranked No. 1 nationally by Volleyball Monthly, rallied in all but the last game for a 15-11, 16-14, 15-5 victory at Newport Harbor.

Mira Costa, the 4-A runner-up in 1987 and 1989, advances to the semifinals against the winner of Friday night’s Laguna Beach-San Marcos game.

Swatik had 17 kills and four blocks and Pat Ivie, the younger brother of USC and United States national team member Bryan Ivie, had 13 to lead Mira Costa (16-0). Alex Opoulos and Ian Juberg each had 11 kills to lead Newport Harbor (11-6).

“Swatik had the kills that counted,” Glenn said after the game. “That’s why he’s a great player.”

Mira Costa Coach Mike Cook said his team struggled in Newport Harbor’s small, noisy gym.

“We toughed it out,” he said. “This was a tough place to play. The Newport crowd made a lot of noise and our kids couldn’t communicate. Newport gave us an excellent test in the first two games.”

Mira Costa rallied from a 9-4 deficit in the first game. Swatik had four kills and Mike Ashenfelter had two blocks as the Mustangs capitalized on four Newport Harbor hitting errors in an 11-2 run.

The Mustangs trailed again early in the second game. They fought back from deficits of 5-0 and 10-5 and fought off game point to tie it at 14-14. Consecutive kills by Mark Shoptaw and Brian Thurston gave the Mustangs a 16-14 victory.

“We didn’t lose this game,” Glenn said. “They beat us. I just wish we could have had that second game back.

“We got stuck on nine in the first game and 10 in the second game. Mira Costa is a real good team and if you make mistakes against them, they’ll capitalize on you.”

Mira Costa didn’t have to bother with a comeback in the third game. The Mustangs built a 6-0 lead and let Newport Harbor no closer than five.