PREP ROUNDUP : Newport Harbor Bounces Back, Easily Defeats Tustin

Newport Harbor, rebounding from last week’s loss to Irvine, easily beat Tustin, 15-10, 15-11, 15-1, Tuesday in a Sea View League boys’ volleyball match, keeping alive the Sailors’ drive for the league title.

With three league games remaining, the seventh-ranked Sailors (11-3, 10-1 in league) control their destiny. The Sailors should handle Saddleback and Santa Margarita easily, but finish the season against second-place Corona del Mar.

“I don’t think we’ve been playing well this month,” Coach Dan Glenn said. “If we don’t pick it up, Corona del Mar will come in and hammer us.”

The Sailors came out strong in the first game, taking a 7-1 lead, but Tustin (8-4, 7-4), playing without starters Curtis Jackson and Josh Rasmussen, cut the lead to 12-8. Newport Harbor held on to win the game, led by outside hitter Mitch McCoy, who had seven kills. McCoy had 16 in the match.

In Game 2, Tustin’s Donnie Rafter had four kills, two stuff blocks and a service ace as the Tillers kept within one point, 11-10, but a Tiller error and two kills by McCoy closed out the game for Newport Harbor.

Tustin never regained momentum. The Sailors scored eight consecutive points with senior Paul Root serving to take a 11-1 lead in game three. Middle blocker Wes Bodorek served the final four points to end the match.

Greg Slick finished with 13 kills for Newport Harbor. Tustin’s Rafter had seven kills.