Back-to-back Caldwells

Cody Caldwell’s plan wasn’t to follow in his older brother Kyle’s footsteps at Newport Harbor High.

Cody is on track.

Cody is the Newport-Mesa Dream Team Player of the Year in boys’ volleyball a year after Kyle earned the area’s top accolade.

It took Kyle until his senior year to receive the award. Cody was just a sophomore.

The two led their respective teams to undefeated Sunset League championship campaigns. The Sunset League honored both as its Player of the Year.

Cody shared it with a teammate. Kyle won it outright and is now playing for UCLA.

Cody has two more years to claim the league’s top prize individually and match or surpass his brother’s accomplishments on the court.

A lot of work is in store for Cody. Getting out of the first round is a start.

Kyle’s team advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division I championship match.

Cody’s team played one round at home and stayed home for good.

The five-game loss to St. John Bosco took a lot out of Cody and the Sailors (24-8). He played hurt, a trainer taped his left foot and right thumb.

Cody wasn’t the same, but he battled, finishing with a team-high 20 kills. Overcoming the pain is something the 6-foot-5, 175-pounder will learn in time.

Cody matured quickly, developing into one of the premier outside hitters in Orange County. He led the Sailors with 461 kills to go along with a .457 hitting percentage, 136 digs, 43 blocks and 24 service aces.

Making Cody dangerous was his ability to hit out of the back row. Anywhere on the court, he blasted winners.

Newport Harbor began to win a lot after taking the top division at the Orange County Championships on March 23. The tournament MVP went to Cody after he recorded a team-best 14 kills in a best two-out-three final against Orange Lutheran.

The match lasted two games because of Cody.

The sweeps continued. The Sailors went 10-0 in the robust Sunset League, entering the postseason on a roll after rallying to defeat Corona del Mar in the Battle of the Bay in the regular-season finale.

The next Newport Harbor comeback attempt ended in the first round, finishing the season on a sour note. An at-large team out of the competitive Trinity League ruined the Sailors’ title hopes.

At the time, Coach Dan Glenn said he believed the Sailors had as good as shot as anybody to win the section title.

Kyle fell short of winning a section crown during his four years.

Cody plans to lead the Sailors to one by the time he graduates. That way he leaves his own mark at Newport Harbor.

 Dylan Davis

Corona del Mar

The senior middle blocker used his 6-8 frame to disrupt the opposition’s attack and earn a share of the Pacific Coast League MVP. Davis played an instrumental role to the Sea Kings prowess in league, seven straight Pacific Coast League championships. Davis led CdM to the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs. He made third-team All-CIF Southern Section Division I. Davis is bound for UC Santa Barbara.

 JB Green

Newport Harbor

The senior outside hitter led a Sailors team losing a lot of talent to graduation and NCAA Division I programs back to the top of the Sunset League. For his leadership, Green was named Sunset League Co-MVP after the Sailors finished 10-0. Green finished with 190 kills, a .345 hitting percentage, 140 digs, 23 blocks and 12 aces. Green is bound for USC to play football.

 Connor Bannan

Corona del Mar

The senior setter proved his value, earning Bannan a share of the Pacific Coast League MVP after helping the Sea Kings win their seventh straight title in the league. CdM dominated league play, going undefeated and winning every match in three sets except for one. Bannan was named the MVP of the 32nd Dave Mohs Memorial All-Star event. Bannan is bound for UCLA.

 Bayle Smith

Sage Hill

The senior outside hitter almost single-handedly lifted the Lightning to their first CIF Southern Section Division V championship match in school history. Smith won a share of the Academy League MVP for the second straight year. Smith averaged 6.5 kills per game and helped the Lightning place second in league. Smith earned first-team All-CIF Southern Section Division V honors. This is Smith’s third time on the Dream Team.

 Hamilton Day

Newport Harbor

The senior opposite recovered from an early-season ankle injury and thrived during the Sunset League championship run. One of Day’s best performances came in the league clincher against Edison. He finished with eight kills, five blocks and two aces. In the Sailors’ Battle of the Bay win against CdM, Day capped it with a block. Day earned first-team All-Sunset League honors. Day is bound for BYU.