It was highschool volleyball at its best.
“Absolutely incredible!”
That’s how Mira Costa boys’ volleyball coach Greg Snyder described his workforce’s efficiency Friday night time following the most recent chapter in a fierce rivalry between two of the highest applications within the nation.
The visiting Mustangs (20-1) took command early and by no means let up, sweeping Loyola 25-19, 25-18, 25-20 to ascertain themselves because the favorites to win the Southern Part’s highest division.
Main the way in which was Grand Canyon commit Thatcher Fahlbusch, a senior whose 12 kills got here when his squad wanted them most. The Mustangs avenged a loss within the finals of the Better of the West Event in San Diego two weeks in the past — and ended a nightmarish shedding streak towards the Cubs.
Mira Costa senior outdoors hitter Thatcher Fahlbusch celebrates after recording considered one of his 12 kills towards Loyola on Friday night time.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Occasions)
“We served much better and got them out of system,” mentioned Fahlbusch, whose youthful brother Blake, a USC commit, was weakened by the flu however nonetheless had 5 kills for Loyola. “Our main strength is in numbers — they can’t key on one guy. We’d lost 11 in a row to them so we wanted to put an end to that.”
Regardless of residing in Manhattan Seaside, the brothers determined when Thatcher was in eighth grade to go to Loyola, however he transferred after his sophomore 12 months. He’s glad he made the change — and so are his teammates.
“It’s all love,” Thatcher mentioned. “This is an awesome environment to play in.”
Including 12 kills, the final approaching the Mustangs’ third match level, was Mateo Fuerbringer, whose sister Charlie was a setter for Mira Costa and accomplished her freshman season at Wisconsin in December.
Setter Andrew Chapin had 40 assists, UCLA commit Grayson Bradford (a senior switch from Crespi) had 11 kills, and Alex Heins added seven kills and 4 blocks for the Mustangs, who had final overwhelmed Loyola within the SoCal Regional Division I finals on June 12, 2021.
“We wanted to win so bad,” Bradford mentioned. “We brought the energy and we have so much trust in each other. No matter who it is, we believe we can put any ball away.”
Loyola college students cheer on the Loyola boys volleyball workforce throughout a match towards Mira Costa on March 21, 2025.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Occasions)
Loyola defeated Mira Costa 3 times final spring — profitable the faculties’ annual nonleague showdown, then sweeping the Mustangs within the Southern Part Division 1 finals and SoCal Regional finals — on its approach to being topped USA At this time/AVCA nationwide champion for a second straight season and the fourth time in class historical past.
Snyder, who took the helm final season and guided Mira Costa to a 37-5 document, the Better of the West title and the Bay League championship, took a number of moments to savor his first victory over Loyola and is aware of the rivals probably will meet once more within the playoffs.
The groups have met for the part title 4 occasions, Loyola profitable in 4 units in 2005 and 2010 and in three units in 2024. Mira Costa prevailed in 5 units in 2012. The Mustangs received the final of their eight part titles in 2021, sweeping Newport Harbor within the finals beneath earlier coach Avery Drost.
“We haven’t been healthy all week, but take nothing away from them,” mentioned Cubs coach Mike Boehle, who has piloted his alma mater to seven part titles since taking on in 1999. “It’s been four years since they beat us and they played out of their minds.”
Nate Garrett led the way in which with 9 kills and Simon Capps added seven for Loyola (12-3). Blue-and-white-clad supporters within the scholar part waved flags and chanted “Let’s go Cubs!” throughout introductions, however Mira Costa followers countered with “We can’t hear you!” in a timeout with their workforce holding a cushty lead halfway via the second set.
