PREP VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP : McCoy Is Key for Newport Harbor

Woodbridge Coach Rich Polk thought Newport Harbor could be beaten Tuesday, but the Warriors couldn’t find an answer for Mitch McCoy.

McCoy had 25 kills to lead Newport Harbor to a 15-9, 15-5, 10-15, 15-7 victory in a ragged Sea View League boys’ volleyball match at Woodbridge High.

Greg Slick added 17 for Newport Harbor (1-2, 1-0 in league), which was ranked fifth in the preseason Orange County poll. The Sailors also reached the semifinals of the Orange County Championships last weekend.

“I think both teams showed the effects of playing in the tournament,” Polk said. “We were a little tired and our ball control needs improvement.

“Hopefully we’ll improve from here, but I think Newport is going to be two to three times better when we meet them in the second round at their place.”

Wes Badorek had six kills and six blocks for Newport Harbor, which dominated the first two games. So with the Sailors in control, Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn tried to rest senior setter Eric Vallely.

But Woodbridge (0-3, 0-1) showed its potential in Game 3, rallying behind juniors Kevin Reid (16 kills) and Nathan Bennett (11 kills). Sophomore setter Jeff Foster had 17 assists in the game, helping the Warriors overcome a three-point penalty they incurred when officials noticed they were out of rotation.

Vallely returned for the Sailors midway through Game 3 and although the Newport Harbor lost the game, it regained control of the match.

“We’re not good enough yet where we can play well without a key player,” Glenn said.

In Game 4, McCoy used his jump serve to help the Sailors score four consecutive points to take a 14-7 lead and Badorek hit a service winner for match point.

In other Sea View League matches:

Irvine 3, Santa Margarita 0--Luke Carlson had eight kills for Irvine (2-1, 1-0) in the 16-14, 15-8, 15-1 victory.

Tustin 3, Corona del Mar 2--Josh Rasmussen had 21 kills for visiting Tustin (1-0 in league) which won, 13-15, 10-15, 15-6, 16-14, 15-10. Brad Callahan and Brooks Hoppe each had 19 kills for the Sea Kings (2-1, 0-1).

University 3, Saddleback 1--Abe Lin had 18 kills and Derek Rados had 14 for University in a 15-9, 11-15, 15-8, 15-2 victory.

In the Garden Grove League:

Garden Grove 3, Pacifica 1--Mike Blackner had 19 kills for visiting Garden Grove (1-3, 1-0). Mike Parsons had 15 kills for Pacifica (0-3, 0-1).

In nonleague matches:

Calvary Chapel 3, Los Alamitos 0--Matt Wright had 32 assists for Calvary Chapel (3-0), which won, 15-8, 15-4, 15-5.

Canyon 3, Servite 1--Brent Nogle had 15 kills for host Canyon in a 15-7, 15-3, 12-15, 15-3 victory.

Cypress 3, Villa Park 2--Chris Greeley had 20 kills for Villa Park (1-2) which lost, 15-11, 15-11, 9-15, 6-15, 15-7.

El Modena 3, Valencia 1--Alex Pitaknaphron had 17 kills for host El Modena (3-0) which won, 15-3, 15-10, 3-15, 15-10.

Laguna Hills 3, Santa Ana 2--Max Weiss had 20 kills for host Laguna Hills in a 12-15, 15-9, 15-2, 9-15, 15-4 victory.

Trabuco Hills 3, Mission Viejo 0--Chris Congo and Matt Grace each recorded eight kills to lead Trabuco Hills (1-2) in its 15-7, 15-13, 15-3 victory.

Western 3, Century 0--Eric Temple had nine kills for visiting Western (5-0), which won, 15-2, 15-9, 15-4.

Whittier Christian 3, Long Beach Wilson 0--Tim Willey had 14 kills for visiting Whittier Christian (3-0), which won, 15-4, 15-5, 15-12.