Tars prepare with sweep

Steve Virgen

With the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions on the horizon for

the Newport Harbor High girls volleyball team, the Sailors seem to

still be searching for their defining moment, a chance at redemption.

Though they swept to victory over Sea View League visitor Laguna

Hills Tuesday, that moment did not come. However, Newport will

assuredly have its opportunity in the upcoming tournament, Friday and

Saturday, which features the elite, including Royal, Mira Costa and

Buchanan, a Central California power.

The Sailors (13-3, 1-1 in league), ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern

Section Division II-AA scored a relatively easy 15-5, 15-8, 15-13

victory over the Hawks. Sailors Coach Dan Glenn said he was glad to

see his players come back in a third game that saw them down, 13-6.

It was also important for Newport to prepare for the Santa Barbara

tourney, Glenn said.

“We’re just trying to get better right now,” said Glenn, whose

squad lost its Sea View League opener in five games to visiting Aliso

Niguel last week. “We have to pick it up because we’re going to play

some real good teams.”

Newport showed moments of brilliance throughout the first two

games Tuesday, with Kristin McClune, the Pepperdine-bound senior,

leading the way. McClune recorded a match-high 25 kills, while junior

Kellie King distributed 30 assists.

The Hawks never threatened until Game 3, when Glenn said his squad

faltered because of mental errors, and because junior outside hitter

Alyson Jennings did not play in that third game.

“Alyson does all of the little things for us,” Glenn said. “She

keeps us in sync. Her defense and passing sets us up.”

Junior Elizabeth Clayton keyed Newport’s comeback in Game 3. She

served for four straight points, as senior setter Jordan Carmack

teamed with McClune for two points and the Hawks committed two

errors, that pulled the deficit to 13-10. The Sailors continued their

rally with the combination of Carmack-to-McClune, that led to another

point with senior Christine Fulce serving.

Carmack later served for four straight points, including an ace

that gained match-point. She then set for fellow senior Shelley

Langford, who spiked for the game-winner.

“I was happy with the way Jordan played,” Glenn said.

Glenn also mentioned junior outside hitter Lauren Miller did not

play because of an injured hip. The injury is minor, but Glenn chose

to rest her.

Newport Harbor opens the Tournament of Champions Friday at 11

a.m., facing Bakersfield at Santa Barbara High. The Sailors will also

play at 5 p.m., with San Marcos or Buchannan awaiting.

“We were at a good level in Chicago (where Newport finished third

in the Nike Challenge),” Jennings said. “Ever since then, we lost to

Aliso and we’ve been in a slump. We need to pick it up and play hard.

This weekend will prove a lot. This will be our chance to prove that

we can be really good.”

Also, in Irvine Tuesday night:

The Corona del Mar girls volleyball team continued its undefeated

ways in the Pacific Coast League with a 15-9, 15-11, 12-15, 15-8, victory over host University.

Claire Allen led the Sea Kings (10-6, 3-0 in the PCL) with 20

kills and Lindsay Ensign and Jordan Smith added 14 and 13 kills, respectively. Stephanie Brandt led the Trojans (4-4, 1-2 in league)

with 12 kills.

Allen and Mackenzie Conover both had two service aces and Smith

led the team with 20 digs. Ashley Bill tallied 35 assists for CdM,

ranked No. 3 in CIF Division III-A.

Corona del Mar faces Santa Margarita, the No. 1 team in CIF

Division III-AA, in a nonleague match today at 5 p.m. at CdM High.