Mira Costa Revs Up for Another Title Run

The question was raised almost as soon as the last ball of last season was spiked:

Can Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, with a strong corps of players coming back from the school’s fourth undefeated volleyball team, go unbeaten again and win another Southern Section Division II boys’ championship?

“We have that potential this year, there’s no doubt about it,” said Coach Mike Cook, in his 23rd season at Mira Costa. “We’re working on it.”

Pat Nihipali, a 6-foot-9 middle blocker who has signed with UCLA, is among the top players in the nation. Nihipali played opposite hitter during club season and might make the position switch for the Mustangs this season.

Chris Ahlfeldt, a 6-7 middle blocker, has signed with Stanford. Gio Altamura, a 6-foot setter, has signed with Ohio State and Tyler Caldwell, a 5-10 back-row specialist, will likely play at Long Beach State.

“They’re certainly going to be the cornerstone of this year’s team,” Cook said.

Some uncertainty exists, however, at outside hitter.

Josh Schwarzapel, a 6-5 junior, and Jordan Morris, a 6-foot junior, are the leading candidates to emerge from a crowded, mostly untested group of players on the outside. Schwarzapel and Morris spent part of last season with the junior varsity.

Regardless, the Mustangs, who were 29-0 last year, will have to be on their game every night.

“Everyone knows that last year we won it, so this year there’s a bull’s-eye,” Altamura said. “Everyone knows who you are, who you have back, who’s gone. It’s going to be how much we want it, how hard we’re going to play to win.”

The Mustangs will find out quickly. They open the season at perennial rival Los Angeles Loyola on March 1.

“There’s so much hype around this single match, it’s ridiculous,” Nihipali said. “People have mentioned it months before it’s actually played.”

Loyola has Derek Otte, a 6-5 opposite hitter who has signed with USC, and Jake Schkud, a 6-5 middle blocker who transferred from Santa Monica.

“It’s going to be something to see,” Loyola Coach Michael Boehle said. “It’s going to be one of those long, drawn-out matches.”

A victory puts Mira Costa that much closer to a fifth undefeated season.

“As the year goes on, this is going to be a mighty team,” Cook said. “When we find out what really makes us go, we’ll be outstanding. I can guarantee that at the end of the year.”