Sailors outlast Chargers

NEWPORT BEACH — After Friday night’s match against Edison High, someone had a suggestion for Newport Harbor boys’ volleyball coach Dan Glenn.

Just tell the players before the match that they’re losing 0-2.

Save the Sailors’ supporters two games of knuckle clenching and stomach flipping.

After losing their first two games, 23-25, 19-25, the Sailors, ranked No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section Division I coaches’ poll, rebounded, 25-14, 25-20, 15-13, to win.

To do it, they had to get past Edison middle blocker Joseph Fitzpatrick, whose six blocks and 13 kills often kept the Chargers (9-10, 1-1 league) nipping away at a lead or creeping up to tie.

But the Sailors (14-3, 2-0) found momentum in Game 3.

Glenn put Cody Caldwell, the team’s only freshman, on Fitzpatrick. He considered matching senior opposite Tucker Peleuses with Fitzpatrick, but stuck with Caldwell in hopes that it will pay off later.

“If we get a good serve, and we keep it off the net, then they can’t set [Fitzpatrick],” said Glenn, irritated that the Sailors committed three straight service errors in Game 4. “Whereas if we serve the ball kind of easy, and they get a good pass, we don’t really have an answer for him.

“I probably should have put Tucker up against him a little bit. I was going to, but I kind of believe in Cody. I think that’s the thing. He’s got to commit and get [Fitzpatrick] and I thought he could. Hopefully next time. He’s got to improve for us to improve.”

Peleuses had four of his 17 kills in the first game, and he struggled to get attempts past Fitzpatrick on both sides in Game 2.

Ftizpatrick even denied senior setter Kyle Caldwell (57 assists) at the middle of the net in Game 4 as the Chargers tried to launch a comeback, down 19-16.

“We were trying to hit the big, giant ball, instead of just a little ball,” Glenn said. “Even though we’ve got some big guys and some hard hitters you can’t just go lugging against a big, tall team or they’re going to block you.”

Peleuses caught fire in Game 3, scoring five straight times on Sailors possessions, including a left-side block with senior middle Max Volz (three blocks).

It spread to Kyle Caldwell and Mark Leibermann (four aces, 14 kills), who ripped a ball down the middle seam in for the game-winning point. That silenced the Chargers for good. Edison won its last point off Carl Eberts’ ace to make it 14-13.

“They don’t really have a weakness,” said Edison Coach Brian Boone, citing the clutch play that prevented an extended fifth game.

The Sailors moved up in the Division I rankings Monday. After knocking off Mira Costa, now No. 2, the Sailors realized Friday that they’ve become the team to beat.

Glenn warned his team of what the new status meant after the game.

“[Glenn] said people have a target on us, and we’ve got to be fired up and ready to play,” Peleuses said.

SORAYA NADIA McDONALD may be reached at (714) 966-4613 or at soraya.mcdonald@latimes.com.