Newport Harbor Repeats in Division I-AA

Newport Harbor High continued its clean sweep through the Southern Section Division I-AA girls’ volleyball playoffs, defeating Capistrano Valley in three lopsided games in the title match Friday night at Cypress College.

The top-seeded Sailors, who have not lost a game in four playoff matches, made it look easy, taking an 8-1 lead in the first two games on the way to a 15-7, 15-7, 15-8 victory.

It was the fifth section girls’ volleyball title for the Sailors (23-0), who became the first team to repeat as major division champion since Corona del Mar in 1992 and ’93.

“It’s sweet to win two in a row,” junior middle blocker Krista Dill said. “It really feels sweet. Now we have to go after our next goal, winning state.”

That quest starts next week. Friday’s task was to avoid being upset by pesky Capistrano Valley (21-2), which knocked off second-seeded Manhattan Beach Mira Costa in the semifinals. The Cougars had trouble getting started, making numerous early errors that enabled the Sailors to win points without much sweat.

“We made a lot of unforced mistakes and that’s not usual for our team,” sophomore setter Andrea Delsigne said. “If we didn’t make those mistakes, we would have had a better chance.

“But we kept fighting. This team has a lot of heart.”

After falling behind, 8-1, and losing the second game, Capistrano Valley showed that fight in the third game.

The Cougars, helped by tough jump serving by Becky Warnick and Lori Thuerbach, took a 7-1 lead. But Newport Harbor, which has four players 6 feet 1 or taller, started dominating with its height.

Kathy Lavold, a 6-2 middle blocker, and the 6-2 Dill each had three blocks for points in a 14-1 run that gave the Sailors the victory.

CITY SECTION

In the Division Championship, Fremont defeated Taft, 16-14, 15-8, 15-12, at Occidental College.

Fremont (14-2) trailed, 12-3, in the first game and 12-7 in the third.

“We won it on heart and motivation,” Fremont Coach Olga Espinoza said.

Trisha Bratford had 14 kills and nine blocks for Taft (10-5).

“Being behind didn’t bother them one bit,” Taft Coach Doug Magorien said.

“They are a great defensive team and we just couldn’t find the formula to get it done tonight.”

Fremont, seeded fourth, beat Taft, the second-seeded team, after beating Marshall, the top-seeded team, in the semifinals.