Another comeback, another berth in the final

Joseph Boo

ANAHEIM - Here’s the situation. The home team serving in the first

game is up, 14-6, with all the momentum in the match, playing some of its

best volleyball all year, and in front of a boisterous crowd. Seems

pretty dire.

Not to Newport Harbor High’s girls volleyball team, which pulled off

another stirring comeback. After falling behind in that first game, the

Sailors defeated the Aztecs, 17-15, 15-11, 15-8.

Newport Harbor (32-2) advances to its third consecutive CIF Southern

Section Division I-AA finals, and also looking for its third straight

win. It will be at Cypress College against Mira Costa, and in all

liklihood, Saturday.

“(Being the third time) makes it that much special,” Harbor senior April

Ross said. “For most of the seniors, it will be the third trip.”

“We’re excited about going to the finals,” Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn

said. “That means we’ve clinched a spot in state.”

The road to the state playoffs didn’t come smoothly, though. A determined

Esperanza team simply outplayed the Sailors in the early going, racing to

the 14-6 lead and servng for the game.

Then the entire matched turned. After nine sideouts, Ross’ turn came up

in the serving rotation.

Ross’ jump serve forced a hitting error by Esperanza. Ross then got two

aces to cut the lead.

“We knew our serving was going to get us in the game,” Ross said.

Indeed, the Sailors’ serving was the biggest reason behind Newport’s

victory. The Aztecs had few answers for Ross’ jump serve, and she had

four aces. Katie King also had four, with three in the third game.

After exchanging sideouts. Krista Dill got one of her seven blocks, and

then a kill to start a run where the Sailors scored six consecutive

points. By the time Esperanza won back the serve, it was down, 15-14.

The Aztecs tied it up at 15 all, but an ace by Lisa Addeo and a missed

set won the game for the Sailors.

“Our kids did a great job of not panicking,” Glenn said. “I think our

playoff experience definitely helped.”

With the momentum completely on Newport Harbor’s side, the Sailors’

capitalized, playing exceptional in all areas and keeping Esperanza from

getting any string of points.

Besides the four aces, King got 34 assists feeding Ross and Dill for

impressive spikes. Ross ended up with 17 kills to lead the Sailors. Addeo

had 10 kills, helping Ross carry the offensive load.