Memorable sweep for Mira Costa boys volleyball team against Huntington Beach in Division 1 Southern California Regional final

MANHATTAN BEACH – It isn’t just an ominous front-row presence or a versatile offensive attack or a remarkably deep roster that allows Mira Costa High to methodically wear down even the best boys volleyball programs in the state.

The top-ranked Mustangs are also capable of staging significant rallies, relying on timely runs and crushing any comeback hopes for opponents, and Mira Costa showcased every aspect of its lineup and benefited from each scenario Saturday against second-seed Huntington Beach in the Southern California Regional final of the Division 1 state playoffs.

Mira Costa overcame a nine-point deficit in the opening set and never relinquished control, as USC-bound senior outside hitter Cooper Keane had 17 kills to help the Mustangs secure the fourth regional championship in program history with a 26-24, 25-20, 25-16 victory, extending their winning streak against the Oilers (36-5) to eight in a row since 2019.

Post-match interviews

The Mustangs (36-2) won their first regional crown since achieving the Division 1 title in 2021 to go along with another Division 1 victory in 2016 and a Division 2 championship in 2010, handing Huntington Beach its first loss in five regional finals appearances.

Mira Costa defeated Huntington Beach for the third time this season and extended its winning streak against the Oilers to eight in a row since 2019 | Alex Valladares photo

The Oilers won the Division 2 regional title in 2021 and achieved a three-peat in Division 1 from 2013-15, but they were unable to solve the Mustangs in the third showdown involving the programs this season, including a 25-23, 25-23 setback Feb. 22 in the final of the Redondo Union and Mira Costa tournament, as well as a five-set loss May 16 in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 championship match at Cerritos College.

Mira Costa will square off May 31 against Archbishop Mitty (40-2) – which won its first Northern California Regional title since 2013 with a four-set victory Saturday against Clovis East (27-12) – at 4:30 p.m. PST at Fresno City College to determine the first Division 1 state champion.

The programs have not met since Mira Costa produced a five-set victory against the Monarchs in the quarterfinals of the 2013 Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions in Santa Barbara.

Mira Costa’s sweep Saturday was its ninth win in a row since losing in five sets April 5 to Marist High of Illinois in the final of the Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions.

Mira Costa won its fourth Southern California Regional boys volleyball title by sweeping Huntington Beach in the Division 1 final | Alex Valladares photo

Huntington Beach built a 17-8 advantage in the opening set, but the Mustangs responded with five of the next six points to close the gap against the Oilers, who had to adjust their lineup when junior outside hitter Colin Choi aggravated his left ankle after suffering an awkward landing following an approach.

Mira Costa surged again to grab its first lead of the set at 23-22. Although Huntington Beach neutralized one set point after trailing 24-23, the Mustangs capitalized on their next opportunity to finally seize control.

Choi returned to the Huntington Beach lineup in the second and sophomore outside hitter Logan Hutnick had eight of his 17 kills during the stretch for the Oilers, but UCLA signee Grayson Bradford had four blocks in the set and Mira Costa pulled away with a late run to add to its momentum entering the third.

Logan Hutnick of Huntington Beach hits between the Mira Costa block of Wyatt Davis, left, and Andrew Chapin | Alex Valladares photo

Keane had seven kills in the final set and the Mustangs secured an 11-7 advantage, before elevating their performance one more time down the stretch to finally erase the disappointment of being swept by Loyola in last year’s Division 1 regional final.

Andrew Chapin, a USC commit, contributed 34 assists for Mira Costa, with Bradford adding seven kills and six blocks for the Mustangs.

Kai Gan, a senior setter for the Oilers, collected 28 assists in his final prep contest.