Newport Harbor, Southern California Christian Look for Titles

Newport Harbor and Southern California Christian high schools each play for a state volleyball title today, but the county powerhouses won’t meet one other to earn their crowns.

Newport Harbor (20-1), which lost its only match of the year--a three-game sweep--in the Southern Section Division I finals to Mira Costa (23-0), will get another chance at the Mustangs tonight at 7 in the Golden West College gym.

“We would just like to show what a good team we are,” said Mike Neece, Newport Harbor coach. “They are suppose to win, so we are just going to go out there and go for it.”

The Sailors advanced to the final from their at-large berth by defeating St. Joseph, Santa Monica and Los Altos.

Southern California Christian (21-0) is looking for a state title to go with its second straight Southern Section Division III championship. The Flames will play San Andreas’ Calaveras High School at 3 p.m., also at Golden West.

The Flames are led by seniors Tara Cross and Cinnamon Williams.

“We have been playing very consistently,” SCC Coach Ed Gover said. “If our kids play like they can, we should be OK.”

To get to the the final, the Flames defeated Francis Parker of San Diego last Saturday, 15-9, 15-1, 15-7.