Sailors Have No Trouble With Sea Kings

Newport Harbor, ranked second in Orange County, cruised past fourth-ranked Corona del Mar, 15-4, 15-5, 15-10, in a Sea View League boys’ volleyball match Tuesday at Newport Harbor.

Alan Limon had 16 kills, and setter Ty Tramblie had 46 assists, 15 digs and four blocks for Newport Harbor.

“That was the best we’ve played all year,” Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn said.

Although Newport Harbor (5-0) was sharp, Corona del Mar looked sluggish. The Sea Kings (3-2) struggled with their passing and never posed any threat until the third game, when Corona del Mar Coach Steve Conti substituted in sophomore setter Evan Burden.

“I have complete faith in [starting setter junior] Kevin Hansen,” Conti said. “But we pretty much got our butts kicked in the first two games, so you start looking for any different solutions.”

Corona del Mar couldn’t solve Newport Harbor’s offense, which passed effectively so Tramblie could consistently get his hitters one-on-one opportunities against the Sea Kings’ block.

Newport Harbor’s Adam Hearlson had 12 kills and five blocks, Zach Wells had nine kills and 10 digs, and Billy Clayton had six kills and five blocks to pace the balanced attack.

Corona del Mar tried to make it interesting in the third game behind middle blocker Dennis Alshuler. He had seven of his 11 kills in the game and finished with four blocks.

Although the Sea Kings pulled to within three points, twice, in the late stages of Game 3, the Sailors emphatically ended it when Clayton and Tramblie combined to block Corona del Mar’s Greg Stampley (11 kills) on match point.