CdM tops Sailors in five

NEWPORT BEACH — The CIF Southern Section spans nearly half the state, and the CIF championship banner is the only one worthy of display in the gym at Corona del Mar High.

But, for now, at least until the section Division I playoff champion is crowned, the Back Bay is more than enough.

The Sea Kings established ownership of crosstown bragging rights by outlasting rival Newport Harbor, 21-25, 25-21, 25-16, 15-25, 19-17, in the annual Battle of the Bay regular-season finale, before an emotionally charged crowd at the Sailors’ gym Friday night.

“This is the greatest win I’ve ever had in my high school career,” said CdM senior Weston Nielsen, who led the Sea Kings (20-8), ranked No. 2 in CIF Southern Section Division I, with 14 kills and added seven digs. Nielsen and his teammates were swept up in a few hundred students who stormed the court after the dramatic, 111-minute match reached its climax when a serve was passed out of bounds.

Even after the two teams shook hands, Nielsen roamed the court, embracing friends, draping them with the same sweat he needed to subdue the Sailors (18-9), ranked No. 5 in CIF Division I.

“Our quote of the night was that we were going to come together and fight as a team, or we were going to die as individuals,” Nielsen said. “This is just a dream come true. I woke up last night and didn’t sleep for hours. I’ve been thinking about this moment, so I’m glad it came true this year with all my teammates.”

CdM Coach Steve Conti, among those enveloped by a Nielsen hug, was beaming as brightly as his players after his team overcame a 3-0 deficit in the deciding game that began when the Sailors were awarded a point due to Conti turning in his pregame lineup late.

“Just a typical barn-burner Battle of the Bay,” Conti said. “This is a very good [Sailors] team. Any time you can beat a Dan Glenn-coached team in their place, it says a lot about our character.”

That character was on display after the hosts seized the opening game.

CdM then settled in and took control, winning the second game and pounding the Sailors in Game 3.

But Newport Harbor, which was led by 6-foot-6 junior outside hitter Cody Caldwell’s 28 kills, showed some fortitude of its own by dominating Game 4 and leading most of the fifth game.

Both coaches said they were happy with the way their team played and were equally complimentary of the opponent.

“The first game and the fourth game, we served tough and played aggressively,” Glenn said. “But I felt our serving let them get into a sideout groove [in Games 2 and 3]. Once they get comfortable, they are a tough team to stop.”

CdM used a balanced hitting attack and inspired defense to ultimately prevail. Joey Booth, a 6-5 senior outside hitter, had 12 kills, eight digs and two aces, while sophomore Parker Brown contributed 23 assists, 11 digs and six kills.

Nick Curci, who shared setting duties, had 24 assists and six digs, while junior middle blocker Spencer Haly produced seven kills and was in on three blocks.

Junior middle Evan Dean had five kills and was in on five blocks, senior John Christian was in on four blocks and had three kills, and junior libero Brennan Anderson had seven digs.

Conti said the victory not only gave his team momentum, but solidified its quest for a top seed in the playoff bracket that will be announced Sunday.

“This match had a lot of implications for CIF,” said Conti, whose team swept Newport Harbor in a best-of-three semifinal at the Orange County Championships on March 20. “We’re probably going to be a No. 2 or No. 3 seed. If we lost, we could have slipped to No. 5 or No. 6.”

Nielsen said though Friday’s win was satisfying, there is a bigger prize on the horizon.

“Nothing but another CIF championship could top this,” said Nielsen, who was a freshman reserve when the Sea Kings won a CIF title in 2007. “It’s about as good as it can get right now, though I think if we keep on working, I think we might celebrate a little bit harder by the end of the year.”

Glenn said the loss should fuel his players.

“This needs to eat at us all weekend,” Glenn said. “I wanted our kids to focus on [the loss] enough to learn. I think CdM is going to be on our side of the bracket, because Esperanza [ranked No. 1], is going to be on the other side of the bracket.

Nielsen said he would covet a rematch, potentially in the section semifinals, or before.

“Hopefully, we’ll see them again,” Nielsen said. “I want them again.”

Senior setter Jackson Carmack had 50 assists for the Tars, who received nine kills and five digs from Rusty Sary, seven kills, and seven digs from senior Will Connelly, and eight kills from senior Zack Martin.

“The exciting thing was, both teams played well,” Glenn said. “They’re a great opponent. That’s why we work so hard all year to play them.”