Newport Harbor’s Wells has New York state of mind

NEWPORT BEACH — While many California high school seniors decide to remain in the Golden State for their college careers, some bravely venture away to other states.

Some even venture to the East Coast.

But Katie Wells of Newport Harbor will play volleyball for a school located in a place that embodies the complete antithesis of Orange County: the Bronx, N.Y.

Traffic, a unifying gripe factor here, is irrelevant in a city where most people walk or take the subway.

And million-dollar homes in New York? They don’t come with a pool, or a driveway, or a beach view.

They come with a doorman.

“I’m excited,” Wells said. “I’ve been in Orange County all my life, and everyone else says it’s a bubble, so I’m glad to get out of the bubble and experience other people.”

Wells was recruited by Fordham University, and spent her trip there craning her neck toward the sky checking out the lights of Manhattan’s Times Square.

She liked the view so much, she decided to spend the next four years there.

“I’m really excited to be in New York,” Wells said. “I’m a city girl, so that’s why I picked it.”

Wells was the lone representative from Newport Harbor High at Friday night’s Orange County High School Volleyball All-Star matches.

The matches, held at Newport Harbor, are an annual memorial to former Edison volleyball coach Dave Mohs, and a fundraiser for cancer research. The proceeds go to Hoag Cancer Center.

Kelly Christian, Kasey Kipp, and Juliane Piggott of Corona del Mar also played in the All-Star match. The South team lost 25-15, 25-18, 15-8, the South girls’ fourth straight loss in the All-Star match.

“It’s kind of awkward playing volleyball with people from different teams because volleyball is so technical,” Wells said. “And then when you’re with people that do it all different ways, it’s hard to come together.”

SORAYA NADIA McDONALD may be contacted at (714) 966-4613 or [email protected].