Boys’ Volleyball: Sailors’ Pender Co-MVP

Newport Harbor High sophomore outside hitter Cole Pender shared the Sunset League MVP award in boys’ volleyball after the Sailors split the league title, their first first-place in five years.

Joining Pender on the first team were Newport Harbor senior setter Carlos Rivera, junior opposite Landon Monroe and junior middle blocker Spencer Lawrence. The foursome led the No. 3-seeded Sailors (22-8) to the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs at Beckman, where they lost in five sets.

Pender, who shared the MVP with Huntington Beach’s Sean Morrissey, finished with 356 kills, 33 blocks, 63 digs and 55 service aces. Pender is a repeat first-team selection.

Rivera amassed 761 assists, 53 kills, 58 blocks, 37 digs and 37 aces.

Monroe had 159 kills, 205 assists, 37 blocks, 35 digs and 23 aces.

Lawrence, a two-time first-team pick, registered 123 kills, 62 blocks, 15 aces and six digs.

Newport Harbor sophomore middle blocker Ethan Talley and freshman outside hitter Dayne Chalmers were second-team honorees.

— From staff reports

— From staff reports