No. 1 Sailors Top No. 2 Sea Kings

The rematch between top-ranked Newport Harbor and second-ranked Corona del Mar was supposed to be bigger and better. It just turned out to be a big blowout.

Scott Archbold had 18 kills and 20 digs and setter Travis Nelson had 39 assists to help the top-ranked Sailors cruise, 15-6, 15-11, 15-8, in a Sea View League boys’ volleyball match Tuesday at Newport Harbor High.

The last time the teams met (March 23), Corona del Mar took 2 1/2 hours to win a best-of-three match, 15-9, 14-16, 15-11, in the Division I final of the Orange County Championships.

But in that one, Newport Harbor played without 6-foot-6 junior Adam Hearlson, a starting middle blocker, and Corona del Mar played without 6-foot-6 outside hitter Austin George, a transfer from Calvary Chapel.

Hearlson (four kills, three blocks) has returned from an ankle injury.

But George, who gave the Sea Kings more depth after sitting out one year to become eligible, sat out Tuesday’s match and could be done for the season. Corona del Mar Coach Steve Conti said he was informed Monday that George was academically ineligible.

But George’s absence wasn’t the reason Newport Harbor (9-0, 5-0) ran away from Corona del Mar (6-3, 3-2).

“They killed us in the middle last time,” Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn said. “We served a little better this time and they couldn’t get it to the middle early on.”

Corona del Mar middle blocker Greg Coon, the Orange County Championships MVP, had only six kills and three blocks and Dennis Alshuler added only four. Greg Stampley led Corona del Mar with 10 kills.

“Collectively as a team, it just wasn’t there,” Corona del Mar Coach Steve Conti said. “We made too many mistakes. Sure this is a tough place to play, but there’s no excuse for hitting that many balls into the net and into the block.”