Newport Harbor halts HB’s win streak at 121 matches

HUNTINGTON BEACH — The Newport Harbor High boys’ volleyball team used a balanced team effort to end Huntington Beach’s national-record winning streak at 121 matches with a 25-13, 24-26, 25-14, 25-21 Sunset League defeat on Tuesday night.

Sophomore Cole Pender led the way with 15 kills, and freshman Dayne Chalmers added 12 kills for Newport Harbor (10-3, 2-0 in league). Spencer Lawrence added 10 kills, Landon Monroe had eight kills and Ethan Talley five kills. Carlos Rivera amassed 52 assists as the Sailors’ setter.

“It was a great team win,” Pender said in a telephone interview. “Everyone stepped up and played to the best of their ability. I haven’t seen this team fight like that. We showed up and played so great.”

Newport Harbor, coached by Rocky Ciarelli, the former longtime HB head man, nearly swept the Oilers with a 24-22 lead in the second set. But the Oilers rallied for the 26-24 win.

The Sailors play host to Los Alamitos on Friday.

— From staff reports