PREP ROUNDUP : County Volleyball Teams Beaten in Semifinals

Orange County boys’ volleyball teams lost their five-year grip on the Dos Pueblos tournament title when top-seeded Newport Harbor and sixth-seeded Santa Margarita lost in the semifinals Saturday night in Santa Barbara.

Newport Harbor, top-ranked in the Southern Section 4-A, was upset by fourth-seeded Peninsula, 15-13, in the semifinals.

Santa Margarita lost to second-seeded Simi Valley Royal, 15-13, in the other semifinal. Newport harbor and Santa Margarita were trying to become the sixth consecutive county team to win the 25-team tournament.

Royal defeated Peninsula, 15-12, in the championship match.

Newport Harbor built a 9-5 lead against Peninsula, but the Panthers had three aces to take a 13-11 lead. Newport tied it, 13-13, but Peninsula scored the final two points on a kill and a Newport net violation.

Santa Margarita pulled two surprises before losing in the semifinals. The Eagles upset Capistrano Valley, 16-14, in the first round and Santa Barbara, 15-6, in the second. Santa Barbara entered the tournament ranked second in the Southern Section.

“This was a good tournament for us,” Santa Margarita Coach Keith Albi said. “We’re only a second-year program.”