Boys volleyball: Sailors win twice in OC Championships

HUNTINGTON BEACH - The Newport Harbor High boys volleyball team

opened pool play of the Orange County Championships with convincing

victories over Huntington Beach and El Toro Friday night at Huntington

Beach High.

The Sailors defeated the Oilers, 15-5, 15-3. Junior Erik Peterson had

seven kills, while seniors Blake Tippett and Christian Berg-Hanson each

chipped in six.

Berg-Hanson came through on the defensive end with five blocks, while

Tippett added two ace serves.

Newport Coach Dan Glenn was also impressed with the play of Jamie

Diefenbach. The 6-foot-7 freshman had three kills on three attempts.

“He’s still learning the game, but he definitely has got a lot of

tools,” Glenn said. “He’s going to be a heck of a player.”

In their match with El Toro, the Sailors prevailed, 15-3, 15-10.

Tippett and Berg-Hanson each had 12 kills, while junior setter Lloyd

Wright paced the offense with 33 assists.

Newport will play Santa Margarita today at Huntington Beach High,

beginning at 9:15 a.m. for the top spot in the pool. Playoffs will begin

at noon (approximately) at Edison High.