Back Bay barnburner

Richard Dunn

It wasn’t enough that Newport Harbor High senior standout Alyson

Jennings provided the kills, digs and aces, but capsulized the

emotions within the Sailors’ warm confines Friday night in the Back

Bay girls volleyball showdown.

“It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it,” Jennings said of

defeating rival Corona del Mar, in which the Texas-bound setter and

outside hitter helped Newport Harbor to a four-game nonleague

victory, 17-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-23.

In the pulsating fourth game, it was Jennings who rifled one

across the net and landed so close to hitting the ground on the CdM

side that some Newport players started to celebrate. Jennings pointed

to her teammates and yelled for them to take cover, because the Sea

Kings (18-9) were sending it back over with some fancy digging and

this thing wasn’t over.

After a remarkable CdM return to stay alive, Jennings finished the

deal with her match-high 13th kill and the Sailors (21-5) hugged to

no end.

“That was a great match,” said Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn,

whose team is ranked No. 2 in CIF Southern Section Division II-AA.

“In the first game, they came out and kicked our butts. We were

ready. We just got beat. They outdug us, outserved us and outhustled

us. But we didn’t panic and then we got in a groove.

Senior Kellie King’s sustained stints at the service line ignited

the Harbor attack with energy, Glenn said, while Taryn Tarnutzer (11

kills) provided many key blows. King and Jennings each had 23 assists

for the Sailors, who will likely open the CIF playoffs next week as a

No. 2 seed following the release of Sunday’s pairings.

“This match is like a playoff match,” said Glenn. “We had a good

crowd tonight and it was playoff atmosphere. It always is when you

play Corona [del Mar]. Nobody digs balls like they do, and I think

that will help us later on in the playoffs.”

The Sea Kings, ranked second in CIF Division III-A, came out fired

up on the heels of Thursday night’s setback against Northwood in the

Pacific Coast League title match, then Newport found another gear in

the second game and continued its momentum in the third.

In the fourth, however, CdM rallied from an 18-14 deficit to tie

the game and it remained deadlocked on five more occasions, the last

coming at 22-22 when Jennings delivered the goods on a King set.

Newport junior Kiley Hall followed with a kill on Jennings’ set to

give the hosts a 23-22 lead, then a CdM spike into the net provided

the Tars with a two-point cushion.

A net violation on Harbor made it a one-point game again, before

Jennings’ final kill crowned another chapter in the long and storied

rivalry.

Lauren Miller (eight kills, three aces), Emily Turner (seven

kills), Hall (seven) and Alexis Kerns (three aces) lifted Sea View

League champion Newport on several plays, while Hannah Lindquist’s

serving sparked the Tars. They also received contributions from

Elizabeth Clayton, Bryana Carey, Stephanie Trinen, Holland Osadche

and Hadley Burnham.

Jordan Smith led the Sea Kings with 12 kills, while Breanne Odgen,

Lauren Snell, Lindsey Ensign, Ashley Bill and Victoria Rice accounted

for many of the CdM highlights.

“This was a great way to end the regular season and it helps us

get ready for the CIF playoffs,” Glenn said.