Mira Costa boys volleyball sweeps Loyola to end | College News

It was high college volleyball at its most interesting.

“Absolutely incredible!”

That’s how Mira Costa boys’ volleyball coach Greg Snyder described his workforce’s efficiency Friday evening 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 set up themselves because the favorites to win the Southern Section’s highest division.

Leading the best way was Grand Canyon commit Thatcher Fahlbusch, a senior whose 12 kills got here when his squad needed them most. The Mustangs avenged a loss within the finals of the Best of the West Tournament in San Diego two weeks in the past — and ended a nightmarish shedding streak towards the Cubs.

“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.”

Despite dwelling in Manhattan Beach, 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 swap — and so are his teammates.

“It’s all love,” Thatcher mentioned. “This is an awesome environment to play in.”

Adding 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 during a match towards Mira Costa on March 21, 2025.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

Loyola defeated Mira Costa thrice final spring — successful the colleges’ annual nonleague showdown, then sweeping the Mustangs within the Southern Section Division 1 finals and SoCal Regional finals — on its means to being topped USA Today/AVCA national 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 file, the Best of the West title and the Bay League championship, took a few moments to savor his first victory over Loyola and is aware of the rivals possible will meet again within the playoffs.

The groups have met for the part title 4 occasions, Loyola successful in 4 units in 2005 and 2010 and in three units in 2024. Mira Costa prevailed in 5 units in 2012. The Mustangs gained the final of their eight part titles in 2021, sweeping Newport Harbor within the finals underneath 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 best way 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!” during introductions, however Mira Costa followers countered with “We can’t hear you!” in a timeout with their workforce holding a comfy lead halfway by way of the second set.