Newport Harbor’s Varsity Boys Volleyball team is in the midst of a phenomenal season and they are looking for not only a Sunset League victory but a section title as well. The last time the Sailor boys won the Division I title some of the people on the team were not born yet; it was 17 years ago in 1999.

Currently, the Sailors are tied with the Huntington Beach Oilers for first place (each 7-1 in league). If both teams win their remaining two games, the league’s top seed would go to Newport Harbor who has more points in their match ups. The Sailors and the Oilers are battling it out this season. At their first meeting, the Sailors snapped Huntington Beach’s unbelievable national record 121- match winning streak by defeating the Oilers in four sets. In their next meeting, the Oilers, who are reigning section champions, beat the Sailors also in four sets. Making the rivalry even more interesting is that second year Sailor Coach, Rocky Ciarelli, previously coached the Oilers for 24 years.

Despite the loss, the expectations are still high for the Sailors, as they believe they will win the remaining games of the season. The Sailors look forward toward the bright future, as they are a very young team with six underclassmen and only one senior. Cole Pender, a sophomore outside hitter, has led the team along with freshman outside hitter Dayne Chalmers, sophomore middle blocker Ethan Tally, junior opposite Landon Monroe, junior middle blocker Spencer Lawrence, junior setter Carlos Rivera and junior libero Max Toffel. All starters have multiple years left in their high school careers; so fans at Newport Harbor should be expecting great achievements from their volleyball team in the years to come.

Written By: Eann McKasson