In the inaugural match of the CIF Southern Section boys volleyball playoffs, excitement levels ran high for both Newport Harbor and Mater Dei. However, early unforced errors plagued both sides, as Newport Harbor coach Andrew Mabry observed. Undeterred by the initial hiccups, the Sailors regrouped to secure a 25-21, 25-20, 25-23 victory over Mater Dei at Newport Harbor High in the first round of CIF-SS Division 1 pool play. The eight-team Division 1 playoffs continue Tuesday with the second round of pool play. Newport Harbor (27-6) will host Huntington Beach (26-6), who fell to top-seeded Loyola in five sets on Wednesday. The Sailors and Huntington Beach split their two Surf League matches, with Newport Harbor also emerging victorious in a tournament encounter. Mater Dei (21-11) will travel to Loyola (28-1-1) on Tuesday. The Monarchs and Cubs split their two nonleague clashes this season. Newport Harbor’s senior Riggs Guy led the way with a team-high 18 kills, while sophomore Henry Clemo and junior Jack Berry contributed 10 and 9 kills, respectively. Senior setter Grayson Springborn orchestrated the Sailors’ offense with 41 assists. Berry attributed the team’s heightened energy to the excitement of the playoffs, a sentiment echoed by coach Mabry. Despite the uncharacteristic errors, Mabry noted that the Sailors had an impressive side-out game and strong defense. Mater Dei, boasting standouts Tyler Robinson and Eli McGhee, played on par with Newport Harbor in the early exchanges of the first set before the Sailors gained momentum to secure a 25-21 win. Newport Harbor maintained control in the second set, winning 25-20. The third set saw Mater Dei rally from an early deficit to take a 23-22 lead. However, Newport Harbor’s Chandler Swanson and Berry combined for three consecutive kills, sealing their victory. Both teams are league champions, with Mater Dei claiming the Trinity League title and Newport Harbor sharing the Surf League crown with Corona del Mar.
Newport Harbor Beats Mater Dei in CIF-SS Division 1 Playoff Opener
