Mira Costa Volleyball Team Falls to No. 1 Newport Harbor

The Newport Harbor High volleyball team walked a tightrope at times Thursday night, but the Sailors kept their undefeated record intact with a balancing act.

Justin McIntee had 25 kills to lead five Newport Harbor players in double figures as the Sailors defeated Mira Costa, 15-4, 17-15, 13-15, 15-5, in a nonleague match at Newport Harbor.

Mark McAnlis had 21 kills, Frank Griffo 19 and sophomores Mitch McCoy and Eric Vallely added 11 for the Sailors (5-0), the top-ranked team in Southern Section 4-A Division. Sailor setter Russ Gan had 92 assists.

“We’ve never had all five hitters in double figures like that before,” Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn said. “But our (balance) has been one of our strengths this year.”

Cameron Green had 20 kills and Ryan Moeller added 15 for fifth-ranked Mira Costa (1-4).

After easily winning the first game, Newport Harbor struggled with Mira Costa in the second game. The Sailors led, 14-7, and seemed to have won when Matt Walker’s kill appeared to sail out-of-bounds.

But the officials ruled the ball in-bounds and Mira Costa scored the next eight points to take a 15-14 lead. Newport Harbor then scored the final three points on a McIntee kill and two Mira Costa hitting errors to take a two-game lead.

The Sailors rallied from deficits of 7-2 and 13-7 in the third game to tie the score, 13-13, but Mira Costa won the game on a Newport Harbor hitting error and a kill by Walker.

Newport Harbor cruised in the fourth game, building a 10-4 lead and never letting Mira Costa back in the match.

“This is one of the few times we’ve beaten Mira Costa,” Glenn said. “They’re a good team, and around playoff time, I think they’ll be even better.”