Buzzerio, Northington lead Orange Lutheran over Newport Harbor

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA — When the season hits the critical juncture of league and beyond, Newport Harbor High’s girls’ volleyball team hopes that being battle-tested will turn the tide.

For now, the Sailors are taking their lumps as they journey through the exercise of self-discovery. Despite a second straight loss to open the season, Newport Harbor coach Dan Glenn said his team was on the right track.

“We’re just kind of figuring out who we are a little bit,” he said. “You have got to eliminate mistakes, especially by the time you get to league.

“I still feel like we’re going in the right direction. We’re getting better.”

Glenn stayed positive, with good reason. His team has opened up with matches against two teams that enter the season on the CIF Southern Section’s preseason list of teams to watch — Long Beach Poly in Division 1 and Orange Lutheran in Division 2.

On Wednesday, an early season showcase pitted two of Orange County’s top athletic leagues against each other in the Trinity and Sunset leagues. The Lancers took a close opener against the Sailors, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23, at Santa Margarita High.

Courtney Buzzerio showed why she was the only player in the contest with a college commitment at this infant stage of the fall. The Indiana-bound senior had 15 assists, eight kills, and three blocks.

The Lancers 6-foot-5 opposite stood out for her versatility, especially her unselfishness as the tallest player on the court.

“I think with my height, everyone just expects it,” Buzzerio said of being the one others would count on. “I feel comfortable with that. I’ve been with players who have been in that role. I’ve seen them take that on and how comfortable they are, and so learning from that really helps.

“The whole team is so fun and encouraging. I try to make sure that I’m encouraging when they get good swings and blocks, just to even that out.”

The kills leader of the match was Lancers outside hitter Jada Northington, who finished with 13. She had the clinching kill in the second set, a finesse shot she lobbed over the awaiting blocker.

In the third, the teams were tied, 17-17. In a rarity, the Lancers (3-1) looked rushed. Northington mishit the receive of serve, forcing a reactionary tip from a teammate. Northington punched at the ball as it headed backwards, and the surprise conversion evaded the Sailors (0-2) for an Orange Lutheran lead.

“You’re never going to know unless you try,” Northington said. “I really wasn’t sure, but I just went for it, and it worked out in my favor. I think that gave us a lot of energy and excitement to finish out the game.”

Vivian Donovan had 10 kills and 1½ blocks to lead the Sailors. Allison Crandell also had a strong game with nine kills, and Jenna O’Shea had six kills.

Newport Harbor will head to the Dave Mohs Tournament, where they anticipate that the competition will be fierce again.

“It’s just an opportunity to play against some really good teams,” Glenn said. “That’s kind of how you get better because when you play against those good teams, you figure out your weaknesses.

“It’s our second match of the year. It’s just kind of developing that cohesiveness so that at crunch time in those important points, your guys are all on the same page.”

Also in the Trinity/Sunset League Showcase

Santa Margarita 3, Edison 0: UCLA commit Devon Chang produced 29 assists and two aces as the Eagles bested the Chargers, 25-18, 25-21, 25-23.

Sarah Ciszek (Sacred Heart) registered 12 kills for Santa Margarita (9-3). Haley Carmo (Cal State Fullerton) and Peyton Ehmke (George Mason) had two blocks, apiece.

Edison (0-3) won a state title against Menlo-Atherton last year, but the Chargers have begun the year with three straight losses to Trabuco Hills, Mira Costa, and Santa Margarita.

Lindsey Sparks is the primary holdover from that team, but she is no longer playing at setter. The senior had nine kills and 16 digs.

“She’s just a very good all-around volleyball player,” Chargers coach Matt Skolnik said of Sparks. “She’s a very good passer. She’s a very good hitter. She’s definitely a phenomenal passer like she was last year. We’re just trying some things to see what our best lineup is and where the best spot for her to be is with us.”

Kristin Austin had 10 kills and two blocks. Aly Fullbright had 15 assists, and Taylor Gray notched seven kills at opposite.

Mater Dei 3, Huntington Beach 0: The Monarchs swept the Oilers, 25-21, 25-20, 25-23, in a neutral-site game at Los Alamitos High.

JSerra 3, Los Alamitos 1: Senior outside hitter Caroline Kennedy had 21 kills and 18 digs, and the Lions completed the Trinity League sweep in the Trinity/Sunset Showcase with a 25-17, 25-10, 20-25, 25-23 win over host Los Alamitos.

Kylie Pries added 13 kills for the Lions, Kate Gonzales handed out 36 assists, and Elizabeth Schuyler had 27 digs.

Andrew.Turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @ProfessorTurner