Costa Boys Set for Volleyball Season

Winter may not be officially over for 17 more days, but spring has sprung for the area’s four Bay League schools. Spring sports, that is.

At Mira Costa High, that means it’s time for boys volleyball to take center stage. And there is no doubt the Mustangs have shined brighter than almost anybody when it comes to volleyball. The history page on the Costa Volleyball website sums up the program’s tradition of excellence. It reads:

“In our 50 year history, no team sport has mirrored the culture and fabric of our small beach community of Manhattan Beach, more than Mira Costa volleyball. Unparalleled in its lore, Mira Costa has had more volleyball players compete in (NCAA) Division One volleyball and more players participate on the Pro Beach Volleyball Tour than any other high school in the country.”

Mira Costa coach Mike Ninnis didn’t write those words, but he’s proud to be part of the tradition.

“It’s a tremendous thing to be part of,” Ninnis said Thursday. “There is a strong tradition, almost like a fraternity here. You have guys hang out 25 years after they played, who still talk about winning league or CIF.

“Volleyball is growing in popularity, but there’s a fairly small list of schools that have been good over the long haul.”

Mira Costa, which was a CIF runner-up last year, opens its season Friday night at Santa Barbara, another volleyball power. Only two starters return from last year, senior outside hitter D.J. White and senior libero Tony Ensbury. Ninnis also expects strong seasons from, among others, junior outside hitter Chris Orenic, center Kameron Bain and Jake Miller.

“We graduated the lion’s share of last year’s squad, so we are inexperienced on the varsity level,” Ninnis said. “But we’re a spirited and energetic group. We’ll have to see how it plays out at this point.”

The Mustangs are ranked No. 2 in the CIF’s top division, but Ninnis puts no credence into that.

“That’s based on nothing,” he said. “I think they just took a look at last year’s final rankings. We lost in the finals to Loyola. We still have to earn that ranking this year.”

After the Santa Barbara opener, which Ninnis dubs “a good awakening,” the Mustangs will take part in the Best of the West Tournament at Poway High. “That is always the best preseason tournament. The best teams are there,” Ninnis said.

The traditional Mira Costa-Redondo rivalry should be even more intense this season. Redondo has an experienced team and could be significantly improved.

“They should be very competitive this year,” Ninnis said. “I would say this year the rivalry will be better than most.”