Kristin McClune

Steve Virgen

Newport Harbor High senior Kristin McClune relied on will when the

Sailors trailed 2-0 in games in a key girls volleyball match at Aliso

Niguel last week.

It was mental strength, which her coach, Dan Glenn, always speaks

of, that reminded McClune of what she had to do. Win.

“I never thought we were going to lose,” McClune said of her

thoughts when the Sailors were down. “I know that sounds kind of

weird, but my goal before the match, and even when we were down, was

to win, and I think that was everyone’s goal. That’s why the outcome

was a victory for us.”

The Sailors gave up a 2-0 lead in games and lost in five games to

Aliso Niguel earlier in the season. But this time Newport Harbor

returned the favor.

McClune said she drew inspiration from when the Sailors were down

two games and came back to defeat visiting Mater Dei, Sept. 25.

Newport lost the first two games, 10-15, 4-15, but then won the next

three, 16-14, 15-13, 15-11. McClune recorded 30 kills in that match.

Against Aliso, the Sailors had to win in order to get back on pace

to win the Sea View League title.

“My mindset going into that match was to try my hardest, because

it was basically for the league championship,” McClune said. “I

wanted to play with more enthusiasm.”

McClune, a 6-foot-3 middle blocker, recorded a season-high 33

kills, along with five solo blocks and three service aces to lead the

Sailors to a 9-15, 15-17, 15-7, 15-7, 15-5 victory over the

Wolverines. Her serving also provided momentum for Newport’s

comeback, Coach Glenn said.

“She did a really good job of adjusting,” Glenn said. “They had

two big blockers who were trying to get in front of her. She mixed it

up quite a bit.

“She’s going to be the key for us in the playoffs,” Glenn

continued. “We’re going to kind of go as she goes. We’re looking for

her to really step it up a notch in the next couple of weeks. We’re

really focusing on her as a blocker. We’re trying to get her to be as

aggressive blocking as she is hitting.”

McClune is well on her way to meeting Glenn’s goals. She refined

her skills over the summer. Not just her athletic skills, but her

mental game, as in strategy and technique. It took four simple days,

but that made a difference when McClune went to volleyball camp at

Pepperdine University, where she will play college volleyball at next

year.

“(The camp) made me understand the game better,” McClune said.

She also mentioned the Sailors trip to Chicago to compete against

the top teams in the country also improved her game, which had

already been multi-faceted.

“She brings a lot of senior leadership, as far as being around the

program,” Glenn said. “She was on the team as a freshman when we won

state. I moved her up. She played last year on the Orange County Nike

(club) team, so she has played in a lot of big matches and she brings

a lot of experience. She is also an outstanding student. She is one

of the top kids I have ever coached, as far as the whole package,

when it comes to school, how she lives her life and the volleyball

part of it.”

McClune also delivered contributions this week, as she posted 17

kills and seven service to lead the Sailors to a sweep over Laguna

Hills Thursday. The victory set up a match for first place when

Woodbridge plays at Newport, Tuesday at 6:15 p.m.

A match for first place ... McClune wouldn’t have it any other

way.