Mesa charges into quarters

COSTA MESA ? Edward “Mick” Miettinen began the chant from the song “Shout” during the second and third games, his Costa Mesa High boys’ volleyball teammates on the bench echoing his singing.

“Hey-ey-ey-ey...”

It was a battle, but hey, getting to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division III Playoffs was something for Costa Mesa to shout about.

The Mustangs advanced past Warren in a three-game sweep, 25-15, 25-9, 25-21, at home on Tuesday night. Costa Mesa will play Los Altos in the quarterfinals Friday at a site to be determined by coin flip today.

After breezing through the first two games against Warren, the Mustangs (21-5) were down as late as 19-18 in the third game and had to rally for the sweep. Kills by Ryan Bagwell (a team-high eight) and blocks by Mitch Caldwell (a team-high 10) helped Costa Mesa get its edge back.

“We were having a little bit of trouble putting it all together, but otherwise I think we played pretty well,” said Bagwell, who also had six blocks. “We’re connecting on our offense and putting balls down. We’ve just got to make sure we do it every time.”

The Mustangs led throughout the first game, helped by a strong start from Will Lefebvre, who had three kills and a service ace to build an early 8-3 lead for Costa Mesa. Costa Mesa also took advantage of several Warren ball-handling violations and won the game without much trouble.

That momentum carried over into the second game. Already up, 12-4, the Mustangs went on a 9-0 run behind Lefebvre’s serving and won the game going away.

“We’re an emotional team,” said Coach Chris Komer. “When we get a good block or a good kill, we usually go crazy. If our emotions are high, then we’ll be OK.”

Emotions ? at least the good ones ? were held in check for much of the third game, when Warren took its 19-18 lead on a block of Caldwell. But Costa Mesa regrouped, took back the lead and ended the match on a block and kill from Ryan French.

“It was a tough victory, but we won. That’s the key,” said setter Andrew Melcer, who had 27 assists. “We’re in the quarterfinals, we’re in the elite eight. I’m pretty positive that we’re going to come in on Friday firing.

“Everybody’s going to be on the same page, and we’re going to have a good two practices the next couple of days.”

Players said they also wanted to keep a loose approach, led by cheers from the bench and helped by big crowds for a school that’s not a traditional volleyball powerhouse.

“(The bench) keeps us focused,” Bagwell said. “They keep us in the game, and so does having our fans come. It’s amazing. This is the most people we’ve had at our games in years.”

And, Komer said, it helps that his team is full of fighters.

“The first round [of the playoffs], we were down each game, and we fought and came back and won [in four games against Loara],” Komer said. “The first game of the season, we were down two games to one to Los Alamitos and came back and won. When the going gets tough, they usually come through.”

Trevor Smith had seven kills and seven blocks for Costa Mesa against Warren, and Tony Krikorian had a team-high seven digs.

Los Altos, the Mustangs’ next opponent, defeated North Torrance in four games Tuesday, 27-25, 11-25, 25-23, 25-23.dpt-volley17.IMGGraphicInfoA11R1D3R20060517A11R1D3RNo Captiondpt.17-volley-4-CPhotoInfo431R1D1420060517ize6g6nc(LA)dpt.17-volley-3-CPhotoInfo431R1CTM20060517ize6h7ncPHOTOS BY MARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Above, Costa Mesa’s Ryan French, left, and Ryan Bagwell, right, team up to block Warren’s Preston Poole, center, during Tuesday’s CIF Southern Section Division III playoff match. Below, Mitch Caldwell tips the ball past the block.