Newport Harbor Tumbles

Top-seeded Newport Harbor made a run at Manhattan Beach Mira Costa in the final game but lost the Southern Section Division I boys’ volleyball semifinal, 15-17, 15-8, 8-15, 15-12, 15-13, Wednesday at Redondo Beach Redondo Union High.

The Sailors (20-1) trailed, 13-8, in the fifth game, but evened the match, 13-13, on Scott Dore’s kill.

Newport Harbor then went through three side outs before Zachary Wells couldn’t handle Mira Costa’s Ronny Ahlfeldt serve to give the fourth-seeded Mustangs (25-3) game point.

After both teams traded side outs, Wells sent a spike long to end the three-hour match.

“These kids aren’t going to quit,” Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn said. “They haven’t quit all year. It’s just unfortunate. I thought we were in a good rotation if we could have gotten another side out there.”

Andy Krikorian had 20 kills for Mira Costa, which advanced to play second-seeded Santa Margarita in the finals Saturday at Cypress College.

The first game was a clear indication of how close the match was. Newport Harbor took its biggest lead of the game, 10-7, on a hitting error by Mike Caroselli. Mira Costa answered scoring five consecutive points, then held game point, 14-13, on Jonathon Palacios’ kill off a short set.

The Sailors evened the game on a kill by Scott Archbold (18 kills) then moved ahead on a kill by Matt Jameson (27 digs) followed by a block by Wells (22 digs) and Dore, to give Newport Harbor the lead, 16-15.

On Wells’ next serve, Mira Costa’s Peter Spragg sent a spike long to give Newport Harbor the opening game.

The Sailors got out of sync in the second game, giving up seven consecutive points to fall behind, 12-4. Newport Harbor got within 12-8, but gave up the final three points.

Newport Harbor regained some momentum in the third game with a six-point surge that gave it an 11-7 lead. An ace by Dore gave the Sailors game point, 14-8, then Mira Costa was called for a lift to end the game.

The fourth game was another close battle with neither team leading by more than two points until Dore (20 kills) couldn’t connect on a poor set to give the Mustangs a 13-10 lead.