Sailors denied in five at Long Beach Wilson

LONG BEACH — Even in the postseason, Newport Harbor coach Dan Glenn said he felt like his boys’ volleyball team was still learning.

Tuesday night, the lessons ended when the Sailors lost at Long Beach Wilson in the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs, 19-25, 25-19, 25-20, 12-25, 11-15.

“I was hoping we could sneak by this one and get a little better,” Glenn said in a phone interview, but Newport Harbor (20-13) squandered a 16-11 lead in the first game when Wilson’s serving got hot.

Andrew Kaban was moved to libero for the second and third games, and Boyd Tyrell-Grubbs switched to the back row, which created better passing. Then, Glenn said, “we got crushed.” Wilson took an 8-1 lead while Newport Harbor struggled to find a rhythm. In the last game, the Bruins went on a 7-3 run to win the match.

Kyle Caldwell finished with 40 assists, eight kills, three aces, three blocks and four digs. Tucker Peleuses had 18 kills, two blocks, and two aces.

“It’s a tough, tough way to end the season,” Glenn said, adding that the team fell behind on digs and needed better defense.

— Soraya Nadia McDonald