Boys Volleyball: Mesa swept, but still fights

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Costa Mesa High Coach Dave Sorrells says to check back

on his boys volleyball team in a week and it will be playing better.

Friday night, however, the Mustangs displayed their growing pains, yet

the hurt does appear to be lasting.

Mesa (0-5) played its best games of the season, but visiting Calvary

Chapel of Santa Ana came away with the sweep, 15-10, 18-16, 15-13, in nonleague action.

“We would beat (Calvary Chapel) next week,” Sorrells said. “(But), it

takes time to understand what it’s like to compete. (Our problem) is not

a lack of skill, we just need to learn to compete. Most of these guys

have never even played volleyball.”

The Mustangs, who feature one varsity returner in junior Carlos Jaime,

came from behind in the three games only to have the Eagles (1-1) put out

Mesa’s fire each time; perhaps the most damaging came in game two.

Down 14-9, Mesa bounced back on the strength of Jaime’s serves. He

served for six straight points and the Mustangs’ first lead since 3-2. He

punched three aces and the Eagles failed to return for another point.

Mike Payne, a 6-foot-7 senior who starred for Mesa’s basketball team,

blocked for a point and one of his team-high seven kills began the

scoring run that saw the Mustangs show excitement with high-fives, hugs

and loud cheering.

With the score tied, 15-15, the teams battled as there were seven side

outs.

But, the Eagles took advantage of six Mesa errors, the final mistake,

a net violation, gave Calvary Chapel the 18-16 victory.

Sorrells said, the loss reminded the Mustangs of how far they have

come since last week when they were swept in each of their four matches

of the University Tournament.

“That was our baptism, so to speak,” he said of the tourney.

Aliso Niguel shut out Mesa in its first game of the season.

“Now look at us a week later,” Sorrells said.

The Mustangs were able to show more fire in the third game. The Eagles

jumped out to a 6-0 lead which prompted a Mesa timeout. With the Mustangs

down, 7-2, Jaime came to serve and led his team to get back in the game.

Once again, he served for six straight points, collecting two aces and

frustrating the Eagles by placing the ball in their weakest spots.

“We have a lot of heart,” said Jaime who finished with a team-high

seven kills. “We won’t quit. Even when we’re down, we’re going to try our

hardest to win.”

The Mustangs hardly gave up in Game 1. Calvary Chapel began with a 5-0

lead, but Mesa answered as Payne delivered two blocks and an ace to help

the Mustangs catch the Eagles.

Mesa earned the lead, 8-6, with another Payne block. But, with the

score tied, 10-10, Calvary Chapel again took advantage of Costa Mesa’s

errors and lack of communication to reel off five points for the win.

Senior Marco Santangelo finished with five kills and two aces, while

junior Eduardo Moreno ended with six assists.