No. 3 Sea Kings Keep Rolling, Mow Down Top-Ranked Sailors

Third-ranked Corona del Mar continued its hot streak and won its fifth consecutive match with a four-game victory over Newport Harbor, the top-ranked boys’ volleyball team in Orange County.

Dennis Alshuler had 20 kills and eight blocks for the Sea Kings, who won, 15-11, 3-15, 15-9, 15-7, in a Sea View League match Thursday at Corona del Mar High.

Corona del Mar (8-2, 5-1 in league) has lost only one game since losing its league opener in three games to Newport Harbor (9-1, 5-1).

“They’ve hammered everybody in league,” Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn said. “It wasn’t so much that we played poorly tonight, but they stepped it up.”

And all the Sea Kings chipped in.

Greg Stampley had 13 of his 17 kills in the final two games and Morgan Jackson had 12 kills and five blocks to give setter Kevin Hansen (59 assists) plenty of options. Mike Jackson (nine kills, four blocks) and Alec Hanson (21 digs) also came up with clutch plays.

Corona del Mar took control in Game 3. Leading 10-8, a block by Alshuler and Mike Jackson pushed the Sea Kings’ lead to 11-8. Then Stampley tallied five kills to help Corona del Mar score four of the final five points to win the game, 15-9.

Newport Harbor trailed, 9-2, in the fourth game and tried to rally behind Matt Jameson (20 kills, four blocks) and Al Limon (18 kills). But kills by Alshuler, Stampley and Mike Jackson pushed Corona del Mar’s lead to 14-5 and Newport Harbor never threatened.

“This was redemption for that first match,” Alshuler said. “We’re peaking at the right time.”