Dolphins know titles

The Mariners Christian School Dolphins continued their volleyball dominance chalking up Christian Athletic League of Orange County championships for the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade boys.

The sixth-grade team was led by the outstanding play of Landon Monroe, Nate Ferdi, Scott Schweitzer, Spencer Lawrence and Jack Garell. The boys lost Game 1 to a strong Crystal Cathedral Academy team that had several eighth-graders on the team.

But the MCS Dolphins were resilient and came back to win the second game and the decisive third game to claim the first sixth-grade championship in many years at MCS.

Other key plays were made by Luke Seidman, Seifu Pierce, Leyton Bond, Brock Malliet, Colin Pipkin, Mark Schaefer, Scott Benson, Robbie Gehring, Trenton Rhodes and Ryan Toffoli.

The team was coached by Steve Monroe and Scott Schweitzer.

The seventh-graders fought a tough battle with the always charismatic Anaheim Vineyard. The Dolphins went up early and never looked back. The leadership and great playmaking by Steven Guder and Zach Mills were keys to the Dolphins success.

Excellent hitting from Sterling Miles, Noah Giddings, David Collins and Nick Toffoli kept the attack going strong. Other valuable plays came from Jonah Masumoto, Nick Stary, Brett Elmajian, Enzo Burtin, Kyle Kofoed and Gabriel Kirk. Ryan Hilts, a former MCS student, coached this team. It was the second victory in as many years for Hilts, who also coached the Dolphins to victory in last year’s final (also against Anaheim Vineyard).

The eighth-grade MCS boys’ volleyball team took the court to defend its title for the 12th time out of 13 years. The team had a stellar season going 8-0 and not giving up a single game. The boys were sharp as they passed, set and hit to defeat Calvary church of Santa Ana in the final, 2-0.

Key setting came from Nick Whitelaw and David Schaefer, while Matthew Marchiorlatti and Jackson Rhodes supplied the hitting power. Overall excellent playmaking came from Jake Haar and Grant Midstokke, who kept the team together like glue. Great back row plays and digs came from Davis Hanscom and Caden Proctor while Walker Thurston, Parker Monroe and Zack Hoenecke also contributed to the team win.

Coach Tim Bahadoor guided MCS to an undefeated season and continued the legacy of success in Mariners Volleyball.

— Reader submission

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Lightning capture title

The Newport Lightning Basketball Club’s 10U AAU team captured the BCS “Memorial Day Mayhem” championship, beating PD Basketball, Big City Sports and The Wood in Placentia.

The Lightning were led by the strong play of Mason Melcer, Adam Flood, Sam Barela, Max Morris and Kian Akhavan on offense.

The defense was stifling throughout the weekend with solid contributions off the bench from Bryce Motal, Ford Fairon and Tyler Hollander.

The team is coached by Scott Stucki.

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Lightning boys also win

The Newport Lighnting Basketball Club’s 14U Green team had a successful weekend in Placentia as well capturing the 14U championship, beating Credo Basketball, West Coast Warriors and High Desert Hoopsters in the championship game.

The Lightning were led by the stellar play of Riley Gaddis, Jason Askins, Charlie Evans, Ben Bockrath and Brett Greenlee and received strong performances from Landon Knight, David Karamaridan, Patrick Halle, Ryan Kleinman and Ryan Stone.

The 14U Lightning team is coached by Scott Stucki.

— Reader submission

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Newport-Mesa success

The Newport-Mesa Girls Softball All Star District teams had a great showing at the Vista Classic Softball Tournament, winning the 8U and 10U silver divisions and placing second in the 12U silver division.

The 12U team is Brenna Alvis, Kendall Blanchfield, Samantha del Toro, Brooke Franson, Lindsie Hoffman, April James, Kendall Machado, Haley Martinez, Ashley McNerney, Lauren Oberreiter, Lauryn Terrazzi, Manager Kevin del Toro and Coaches Chad Machado and Mike Martinez.

The 10U team is Mia Bagatourian, Ruby Ceballos, Nicole Harr, Kinsale Hueston, Natalie Hueston, Micaiah Patterson, Katie Rodewald, Kaitlin Seapy, Katie Stephens, Maddie Tumbarello, Faith Vanderwall, Payton Williams, Manager Richard Seapy and Coaches Fred Bagatourian and Craig Rodewald.

The 8U team is Peyton Burger, Megan Chelf, Shea Hueston, Sydney Jenson, Jacqueline Knox, Caroline Leber, Katie Metcalf, Riley Orcutt, Nicole Ryu, Madison Santley, Audrey Tumbarello, Manager Mike Santley and Coaches Troy Metcalf and Steve Tumbarello.

— Reader submission

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Bailey places third

Newport Beach resident Daniel Bailey earned third place at the Junior Grad League K1 Racing Championship held in Anaheim on Tuesday night.

The event featured the top eight K1 race drivers from the greater Los Angeles-Orange County area in the 10-14-year-old age group.

The racers qualified for the championship by accumulating points throughout a season of racing at K1 league events. The top finisher at the championship was race driver Henry Morse from Redondo Beach and second went to driver Alizae Arbona from West Covina.

Dan finished as the top driver from Orange County.

— Reader submission