State Girls’ Volleyball : Irvine to Face Sailors

Newport Harbor High School, with its undefeated record on the line, easily disposed of Northern California representative Davis, 15-6, 15-2, 15-7, in a Division I girls’ volleyball semifinal match Tuesday night in front of 300 at Corona del Mar High School.

The victory advances Newport Harbor (24-0) to the state final Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Gym, where it will face Irvine, a winner over Fremont in the other semifinal.

It’s the second time the Sailors have reached the state final. In 1985, they lost the championship to Mira Costa.

“Our goal was to play well tonight,” said Dan Glenn, Newport Harbor coach. “Our kids looked ready to play and came out all fired up.”

The Sailors have not lost a single game in the state playoffs.

“Davis is a good, young team,” Glenn said. “We were just exceptional with our passing and serving, and that was the difference.”

The Southern Section’s 5-A champion got off to a quick start in the first game, as junior Molly McCray served for the final seven points. She had help from Anastasia Arnold, who had four kills.

In the second game, the Sailors reeled off nine straight points via the serving of Sienna Curci and Kim Gill to lead, 14-2. Curci, an all-Southern Section performer, had three aces and Gill two.

In the final game, Newport Harbor received fine net play from another all-Southern Section player, Jenny Evans, who finished with eight kills and five blocks.

“It is tough competition down here in Southern California,” Davis Coach Jan Furman said. “We didn’t play the way we can, but I still feel that we are winners.”

Davis, the Sac-Joaquin Section champion, finishes the season at 31-3, after defeating Granada in the opening round and Los Altos in the quarterfinals.

It was the fourth time since 1983 that Davis has reached the state’s semifinals, but the Blue Devils have never made the final.

In the other semifinal:

Irvine 3, Fremont 2--The Vaqueros defeated host Fremont, 16-14, 3-15, 15-13, 13-15, 15-12, to advance to the state final. Bev Oden led Irvine (27-2) with 28 kills. Cari Delson added 22 kills and Melinda Norton 10.