Smooth sailing

Steve Virgen

In a sport that deals heavily with momentum, the Newport Harbor

High girls volleyball team appears to be gaining that extra fire, not

only from game to game, but from match to match as a Sea View League

first-place showdown against Woodbridge is coming on election day.

The Sailors (18-6, 6-1 in league) continued to ride their momentum

from their five-game victory over Aliso Niguel Thursday and defeated

visiting Irvine, 15-7, 15-6, 15-11 Tuesday. Newport, ranked No. 1 in

CIF Division II-AA, displayed rhythm and speed, and also delivered

solid serving in Game 2, once again building momentum to collect the

victory over the Vaqueros (3-10, 1-6).

“I don’t know if (the five-game victory over Aliso Niguel) helped

our confidence,” Glenn said. “We had two starters (Emily Turner and

Bryana Carey) out in that game. I don’t know if it helps your

confidence when you’re up 10-1 in the second game and you lose that

game. Even with us winning those last three, I was more happy with

the way we played tonight. I just liked the speed in which we played

with tonight.”

Shelley Langford led the Sailors with nine kills, and teamed up

with setter Jordan Carmack to take out the Vaqueros late in Game 2

and in Game 3. It seemed only fitting that Newport Harbor’s Kiley

Hall earned the Sailors’ first point with a service ace. Newport

collected five services ace and kept the Vaqueros off balance because

of its serving en route to the 15-6 victory.

The Sailors built a 6-0 lead in the second game. Irvine came

within, 7-4, but Newport pulled away as senior Kristin McClune served

for four straight points, including three straight aces and one serve

that led to a net violation and an 11-4 lead.

Irvine earned sideout on a Newport error, but the Sailors regained

possession when Langford recorded a kill from an assist by Kellie

King. Carmack entered the game and delivered a service ace for a 12-4

lead. The teams traded points before Newport took advantage of Irvine

errors and won. Alyson Jennings also contributed three service aces

for Newport.

In Game 3, the Sailors overcame a 4-0 deficit and caught the

Vaqueros, 4-4, after Christine Fulce recorded a service ace. The

teams battled to an 11-11 tie, but that’s when Newport pulled away.

Carmack served for three straight points, including two aces. In

addition, she assisted Langford on her kill for a point.

Irvine gained sideout on a Newport error, but the Sailors earned

it back after Langford recorded a kill, off an assist by Carmack.

Alexis Kerns served to close out the match out the match that ended

when Carmack and Langford teamed up for the final time.