Mira Costa, No. 1 in Nation, to Open Volleyball Season
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Mira Costa High’s boys volleyball team, ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today, will open the season at 7:30 Friday night with a non-league match at Loyola High, west of downtown Los Angeles.
This marks the 11th consecutive season the Mustangs have opened against Loyola. Mira Costa leads the series, 6-4.
Coach Mike Cook’s squad returns three starters from last year’s team that came within one victory of a CIF title and a perfect season. The Mustangs lost to Corona del Mar in the Southern Section 4-A final to finish 21-1.
Mira Costa will center its attack around 6-foot-4 setter Canyon Ceman, 6-5 middle blocker Patrick Ivie and 6-4 outside hitter David Swatik, a first-team All-CIF choice last season.
The three seniors, along with 6-7 middle blocker Mike Ashenfelter, are all being heavily recruited by major colleges, Cook said.
Outside hitter Mark Shoptaw, a 6-3 junior, is the top varsity newcomer.
“I call them the Magnificent Five,” Cook said of his leading players. “We’re just trying to find another one to fill out a starting lineup.”
After Friday’s match, Mira Costa resumes play March 9 at Palisades, one of the top teams in the L.A. City Section.
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