STATE GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS : Newport Harbor Breezes Into State

For those who thought Newport Harbor, the No. 1-ranked team in the nation, couldn’t play any better, they better ask the Santa Cruz Harbor Pirates.

Newport Harbor routed Santa Cruz Harbor, 15-2, 15-4, 15-4, in a semifinal match of the State Division I girls’ volleyball championships Tuesday at Newport Harbor.

And it wasn’t even that close.

“I told our kids that they played well,” Santa Cruz Harbor Coach Jim Reilly said. “Newport Harbor just went through us, and something like that hasn’t happened to us all year. They were awesome. If that’s not the best team in the nation . . . “

Melissa Schutz had 16 kills and Misty May added 15 for Newport Harbor (32-1), the top ranked girls’ volleyball team in national polls published by USA Today and Volleyball Monthly.

The Sailors advanced to Saturday’s State final at Cal State Fullerton to play Stockton St. Mary’s.

Newport Harbor’s proficiency in dispatching Santa Cruz Harbor (34-5), the Central Coast Section Division I champion, even had Sailors Coach Dan Glenn shaking his head.

“A machine,” Glenn said. “What can I say? We beat a real good team tonight and the kids were ready. That might be the best we’ve played.”

Reilly and the Pirates wouldn’t argue.

Senior outside hitter Elsa Stegemann had 11 kills for Santa Cruz Harbor, but for every ball Stegemann put away the Sailors managed to dig two or three spike attempts.

May had 10 digs and Sara Fairborn had eight to lead Newport Harbor’s defense. And after the Sailors popped up the balls, setter Jenny Hecker, who had 39 assists, had her choice of weapons.

If Schutz or May wasn’t blasting away, Fairborn (six kills) Tina Bowman (three kills) and Julie Hecker (three kills) kept the Pirates honest.

And even when Newport Harbor didn’t put the ball away, its defense helped pressure Santa Cruz Harbor into numerous errors.

In Game 1, Newport Harbor scored the first nine points and won the game when Naima Leal netted a spike attempt.

In Game 2, May had nine kills as the Sailors trailed, 2-0, but won 14 of the next 15 points to take control. Game 3 featured more of the same and the Sailors won the match on a net violation by Santa Cruz Harbor.

“The kids are in a groove,” Glenn said. “Hopefully they can keep it up for one more match.”

In the Division II regional final:

Huntington Beach 3, Bakersfield Stockdale 0--Melissa Wendt had 24 kills and Jill Meyers added nine for the Oilers who won, 15-5, 15-9, 17-15.

The Oilers (19-3) advanced to their first State championship match in school history and will play Mountain View St. Francis, a 15-13, 15-5, 15-10 winner over Fair Oaks Bella Vista, Saturday at Cal State Fullerton.

Stockdale ends its season 30-4.