Newport responds after first-set loss

NEWPORT BEACH — Late in the second set, a defining moment came for the Newport Harbor High girls’ volleyball team.

With the score tied, 21-21, and the Sailors on the brink of falling 2-0 in sets, it was time for the Tars to show why they are ranked No. 1 CIF Southern Section Division I-AA. It was time for them to display why they are the favorite to win the Sunset League. It was time for Kirby Burnham.

The senior bound for USC scored three of the final four points to give Newport Harbor the pivotal win. It helped the Sailors beat visiting Edison, 17-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-16, Tuesday night.

Senior middle blocker Katey Thompson, who had 13 kills and three blocks, started the run in the second set with a big block. Then Burnham (15 kills, 16 digs and two aces) stepped up. The third game was also close, as the teams were tied, 22-22, but junior Maddy Brown (12 kills) came up with some key hits. The Chargers also committed an error and sophomore Cinnamon Sary (35 assists, five digs and three blocks) ended the game with a huge block.

It was all a nice way for the Sailors (18-3, 5-0 in league) to respond from their loss in the first game, when Edison came out with more aggression.

“First game they just outplayed us,” Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn said. “They played harder than we did and they dug a ton of balls. They had us well scouted and they just flat out beat us. I can sit here and say we played poorly the first game, but that had more to do with Edison than it had to with us.

“Their kids were ready to go tonight. We weren’t as much as we should be playing an opponent like that.”

But Glenn said his team was able to gain momentum from the second-game win and possessed control of the match when the Chargers suffered a crucial injury.

The Chargers (11-6, 3-2 in league) appeared out of sync soon after their starting setter Alicia Vogel sustained a finger injury. It appeared her left pinkie finger was broken in the third game with Edison ahead, 9-6.

Vogel’s absence became evident in the fourth game, and Newport Harbor took advantage, building a 15-5 lead.

Edison Coach Trent Jackson thought his team missed some opportunities in the second and third games committing too many service errors and failing to extend the match.

When Vogel left, the Chargers still played well at times, but Jackson said it was evident the Chargers’ timing was off.

Newport Harbor remains without setter Mackenzi Campbell, a senior who is nursing a broken finger.

The Sailors hope to have her back when they play at Los Alamitos Tuesday.