Royal Gets Aced Out in Loss to Mira Costa

If you’re ever late for a volleyball match between Royal and Mira Costa highs, don’t fret.

Once again, the nonleague rivals battled in a contest that was close, emotional . . .

. . . and lengthy.

After two hours and 20 minutes, Mira Costa emerged with a 9-15, 15-9, 15-13, 15-13 victory Friday night at Mira Costa.

Despite playing without 6-foot-8 sophomore Pat Nihipali, Mira Costa had better passing and attacking as the match wore on.

The eligibility of Nihipali is being debated after he transferred in December to Mira Costa from Anaheim Esperanza, where he started as a freshman. The Mustangs (6-4) forfeited three matches in which Nihipali played.

Nihipali has been ruled ineligible by the Southern Section but his parents are appealing.

Royal (9-1), the top-ranked team in the region, could not take advantage of Nihipali’s absence.

The Highlanders cruised in the first game, but self-destructed amid an anemic offense.

“Our generalship is lacking,” said assistant coach Travis Ferguson of Royal. “That’s the main thing we need to improve if we’re going to be a championship team.”

Mira Costa might already be there.

An important point came late in the third game with Royal holding a 13-12 lead.

Sanderson Bogea, an exchange student from Brazil, jump-served an ace for Royal, but it was disallowed because he served out of rotation.

Ferguson said he was to blame for the miscue.

“It’s a bad call by me,” said Ferguson, who subbed Bogea for the wrong player moments before the serve. “It hurt us. If I had time to take that back, I would.”

Mira Costa found new life after the play, scoring the final three points of the game.

Jason Spratt had 21 kills and Ryan McKenzie, Nihipali’s replacement, had 12 kills and nine digs.

“Maybe we grew up [Friday night],” said Coach Mike Cook of Mira Costa. “We had better passing. They had their jump-server, they had their deep-server, they had their short-server. They challenged us marvelously and we did pretty well.”

Casey Wilkinson had 16 kills and David Russell added 15 for Royal, which had not seen a team of Mira Costa’s caliber--with or without Nihipali.

Royal led in the fourth game, 11-8, but the offense faltered with four hitting errors that allowed Mira Costa to win the game and the match.

Mira Costa now has the upper hand in what has become an annual long-distance rivalry.

Royal swept the Mustangs in a match last season in Simi Valley, including a 15-0 game. Two years ago, Mira Costa defeated Royal in the regular season and in the Division I playoffs.