Mira Costa Able to Finish After Slow Start

When they took the first game, they also took the momentum.

Manhattan Beach Mira Costa (28-1) battled back from a 13-7 deficit to take the first game and then coasted to their second consecutive Southern Section Division II championship by defeating Bellflower St. John Bosco, 18-16, 15-6, 15-5 on Saturday at Cypress College.

“[St. John Bosco] played very well in the first half of the first game, but then we steadied our play and came back,” said Mira Costa Coach Mike Cook. “Winning that first game was critical.”

Coming into Saturday’s game, both Mira Costa and St. John Bosco (39-2) had only lost to one opponent--La Costa Canyon.

The Mustangs featured a balanced attack, with three players finishing with double-digit kills.

Middle blocker Pat Nihipali had 16 kills and outside hitters Tim Schneider and Josh Schwarzapel each had 10.

“Josh and Tim were the keys today,” Cook said.

“Tim had a huge kill at the end of game one that got us a side out and allowed us to be in a position to win.”

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In other section finals:

Anaheim Esperanza d. Valencia, 15-10, 15-7, 15-5--Outside hitter Jason Jablonsky had 24 kills and Mark Lovein added 12 to lead the Aztecs (16-5) to the Division I victory over the Vikings (28-3).

Anaheim Canyon d. Santa Barbara San Marcos, 15-6, 8-15, 15-9, 15-13--Outside hitter John Parfitt dominated the Division III match for Canyon (10-6), finishing with 52 kills.

San Marcos (17-6) was led by senior Seamus McKiernan, who had 36 kills and nine blocks.

Brentwood d. Calabasas Viewpoint, 15-12, 15-8, 6-15, 15-6--Brentwood (16-2) made the most of its first appearance in a final since 1990, stopping Viewpoint (16-2) in the Division V match.