Boys volleyball: Sailors take care of Woodbridge

Tony Altobelli

NEWPORT BEACH - Not even a win over one of the top prep programs in

Orange County can make Newport Harbor High boys volleyball coach Dan

Glenn burst out in happiness.

“We’re still making too many mistakes,” Glenn said after the Sailors

knocked off visiting Woodbridge, 15-6, 6-15, 15-10, 15-10, Tuesday night

Sea View League action. “If we make that many mistakes against CdM on

Saturday, we’re gonna get ambushed.”

Mistakes aside, Newport (5-2, 2-1 in league) held off the Warriors (6-2,

1-1), ranked No. 5 in CIF Division II, thanks to 18 kills from junior

Blake Tippett and 13 kills from senior Billy Clayton.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good win knocking off a solid team like

Woodbridge,” Glenn said. “It’s gonna be a real tough match when we go to

their gym later in the year.”

But Glenn likes to think into the future and what he saw on Tuesday

wouldn’t fly too well, come playoffs time.

“We had 13 service errors in four games, including two at match point,”

Glenn said. “That’s something we can’t do as the season progresses if we

expect to have a successful season.”

Game one was led my the Sailors from start to finish, thanks in part to

numerous offensive and defensive mistakes by Woodbridge.

Tippett was strong early with four kills and two blocks as the Sailors

jumped out to a 12-2 lead and cruised to a 15-6 win.

Glenn tried to move a couple of guys around in game two, but the formula

was not successful. The Warriors rebounded from the Game 1 setback and

dominated game two, winning, 15-6.

“I tried to put Billy (Clayton) in the middle and that didn’t work out

well at all,” Glenn said. “We’re going to have to be flexible with our

lineup during the season and seeing that not work concerns me a little

bit.”

Game 3 was a much closer contest than games one and two. With the

Warriors up, 10-9, senior Dustin Illingworth, who had nine kills and

eight blocks, came through with a kill and two blocks, giving Harbor a

12-10 lead.

“He was attacking tonight,” Glenn said. “He’s always been a great

blocker, but I was happy with his offensive attack.”

After a long Woodbridge return made it, 13-10, Tippett closed out game

three with a block and a thunderous kill, giving Newport the win, 15-10,

and a 2-1 lead in the match.

After the Warriors jumped out early, Illingworth led the Sailors on a 6-0

run, giving Newport the momentum.

Woodbridge’s Jordan Winder, who had 12 kills, eight blocks and four aces,

tried to keep the Warriors in the match, but Newport wouldn’t crack.

Leading, 11-7, Adam Tomales clipped the sideline for an ace and following

a couple of side outs and an errant Warriors’ return for a Sailors’

point, Kent Turner placed a jump-serve into the Warriors’ open court for

an ace and a 14-7 Sailors’ advantage.

Brian Gaeta’s kill off a Warriors’ blocker sealed the match for Newport

and immediately set Glenn’s sights on Corona del Mar.

“Taking nothing away from Woodbridge or Irvine, but our guys don’t have

to work too hard to get fired up for CdM,” Glenn said. “I know CdM will

be just as fired up after we beat them last year in the CIF (Division I)

Finals, so it’ll be a fun one.”

The Sailors and Sea Kings will do battle at CdM on Saturday, beginning at

6 p.m.