Newport edges CdM

NEWPORT BEACH — Kelly Heenan always tries to transfer what she learns in practice into volleyball matches, especially a big one against a rival. Lately, the Newport Harbor High senior has been working on serving.

She pounded serve after serve during a practice drill earlier in the week.

Corona del Mar noticed the results paid off for Heenan Friday night. She closed out a classic Battle of the Bay match serving for the contest’s final four points, ending it with an ace. When it was over many Newport fans rushed the court and celebrated with the girls’ team — a dramatic scene for an emotional match. The Sailors won this one on their court, 23-25, 25-18, 25-19, 19-25, 15-10, on Newport Harbor’s senior night.

Seniors Kirby Burnham (21 kills and 14 digs) and Katey Thompson (20 kills) certainly made it memorable, as did Mackenzi Campbell, who was playing in her second match since breaking her right pinkie last month, contributing 10 digs.

“This was a huge battle,” said Heenan, who led Newport Harbor with 19 digs. “A lot of the girls play club together, so we knew this was going to be exciting ... We knew whoever fought harder was going to win.”

Corona del Mar definitely fought, shaking the Sailors with the victory in the first game. And even though Newport Harbor (25-6) won the next two, the Sea Kings (22-5) didn’t surrender. They played their best set of the night and forced a fifth game.

Morgan Boukather led CdM with 17 kills and Sydney Brombal had 12 kills and four aces. Senior Madie Smith, who recently committed to the University of San Diego, was on her game, producing 42 assists and Hailey Senske had 15 digs.

“It was fun to watch,” said Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn, whose team won the annual match for the fifth straight year. “I was thinking about switching the lineup a little bit because they had a different matchup going than the fourth game. But we got the serve, and I said we’ve got to go with what’s got us here and stay with what we do. The kids did a great job. But it could’ve gone either way.”

In a match that saw the momentum swing back and forth, the Sea Kings appeared to have the advantage entering the fifth game. They trailed 11-8, but scored two straight before Heenan went to serve.

Junior Maddy Brown, who had nine kills and eight digs, delivered a kill for a 12-10 lead. Then sophomore Cinnamon Sary and Thompson teamed for a block for another point. Then before Heenan’s remarkable ace, Thompson slammed down one of Sary’s 53 assists. “It was just great at the end,” Glenn said. “We just really stepped up in that fifth game. It was really nice to see. A great way for the seniors to have senior night. They’re going to always remember it.”

It was also memorable since all the players wore pink in support of cancer research. All the money raised from the match was donated to the Hoag Hospital Cancer Center.