Playoff push begins

Three area boys’ volleyball teams are all entering the CIF Southern Section playoffs as top representatives from their respective leagues.

Newport Harbor High, the No. 1 team in CIF Division I, will play host to JSerra, the at-large representative from the Trinity League, Friday at 7 p.m. The Sailors (27-3), who went undefeated in the Sunset League, will attempt to make it to the top after losing in the second round of the playoffs last season and exiting in the first round in 2006.

“In Division I, you’re not going to have any easy games,” said Sailors Coach Dan Glenn. “I don’t think we will. It’s good to not be playing an easy opponent.”

The Sailors, who have a 16-match winning streak, haven’t lost a match since Mar. 16, but after the spat of early exits in recent years, Glenn said they’re not taking anyone for granted.

“We know to respect each opponent we’re about to play so I think the kids will be focused on Friday,” Glenn said.

The Sailors are led by seniors Mark Leibermann, Max Volz, Tucker Peleuses, Andrew Kaban, and Kyle Caldwell, widely considered the best boys’ volleyball player in the nation.

Corona del Mar, the defending Division II champion, will attempt a repeat of its 2007 success with a first round home game against Pacifica of Orange, also at 7 p.m. The Sea Kings (23-7), were undefeated in the Pacific Coast League, but lost in four games to Newport Harbor in the May 2 Battle of the Bay.

Sage Hill (19-9) was undefeated in the Academy League for the first time in school history. The Lightning went 10-0 in league, losing only one game to second-place Brethren Christian to post a 30-1 games record.

“We dominated the league, which was something we knew the guys were capable of, but to go through and have convincing wins over every team is something that we’re really proud of,” said coach Dan Thomassen.

The Lightning, the No. 3 team in Division V, have a first-round bye. They will play the winner of the Bell-Jeff-Providence game in Newport Coast May 13.

The Lightning didn’t lose any starters from its 2007 team, which lost to Viewpoint in the semifinals.

Sage Hill is led by attackers Joey Booth and Bayle Smith, but senior opposite Carl Hilgren has also been instrumental to the Lightning’s success. Hilgren led the team in blocks this season, and finshed as the 2007 block leader as well.

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