Tars rally past Aliso Niguel

ALISO VIEJO -- The Newport Harbor High girls volleyball team

returned an earlier favor by coming from two games behind to win in

five against the host Aliso Niguel Wolverines, 9-15, 15-17, 15-7, 15-7, 15-5, Thursday night in a Sea View League first-place showdown

at Aliso Niguel.

The victory gives Newport Harbor the inside track to the crown

with a one-victory edge over Aliso Niguel with four matches left on

the league schedule.

The Wolverines, 4-2 in league, beat Newport Harbor on the road in

the first round of league, after dropping the first two games.

“We got on a roll in the last three games,” said Newport Harbor

Coach Dan Glenn, whose team (17-6, 5-1 in league) is ranked No. 8 in

the Southland by the Los Angeles Times and No. 5 in Orange County.

The Sailors, who blew a 10-1 lead in the second game, were led by

6-foot-3 senior middle blocker Kristin McClune, who recorded a

season-high 33 kills, along with five solo blocks and three service

aces.

Junior outside hitter Lauren Miller (12 kills) and sophomore

outside hitter Kiley Hall (11) also had double figures in kills for

the visitors.

Newport Harbor, which hosts Irvine Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., played

without setter Emily Turner (injured ankle) and outside hitter Alexis

Kerns (hand).