Santa Margarita Sweeps Aside Newport Harbor in Nonleague Boys Volleyball Match

Newport Harbor’s post-match meeting approached an hour after falling to Santa Margarita in three games, 25-18, 25-21, 25-19, Tuesday night in nonleague boys volleyball action at Newport Harbor High.

It was about as long a time the team spent talking after a match as four-year varsity member and senior outside hitter Cody Caldwell could remember.

“Yeah, it was pretty long, but it wasn’t negative at all,” Caldwell said. “Coach [Dan Glenn] was excited with the way we played. We improved a lot from this weekend.”

Santa Margarita, ranked No. 2 in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 coaches' poll and runner-up at the Best of the West Invitational last weekend in Poway, and Newport Harbor are at different points approaching this weekend’s Orange County Championships.

While the Eagles are set with six of their seven starters back from last season, including senior outside hitters Spencer Buckley and Ryan Baine who combined for 27 kills Tuesday night, the Sailors are working in a new lineup that switched, in customary Glenn fashion, on the opening weekend.

The Sailors coach moved senior libero Ian Sequeira, who’s committed to UCLA, to setter for the Best of the West, where Newport Harbor finished tied for 11th with Long Beach Poly. 

Sequeira had 25 assists against Santa Margarita in only his fourth varsity start at the position.

“We’re trying to figure things out,” Glenn said. “We are trying kids in different spots. I’m known for using 9,000 lineups in the preseason. I had a coach tell me this weekend he won’t even bother scouting us right now because he knows our lineup will change.”

Sequeira said he’s excited about the switch, though he understands the work to be done.

“I’m enjoying it,” he said. “It’s coming along pretty good, but I need lots and lots of reps. Plus, I usually don’t play front row and need to get used to that.”

Glenn said he’s confident in the change because of Sequeira’s athleticism, which the senior showcased late in Game 2. Sequeira managed a one-hand overhead set to Caldwell on the right side, though the Sailors lost the point on an eventual net violation.

“He’s done a great job stepping in right away,” Caldwell said. “He’ll be fine.”

Besides implementing Sequeira at setter, Newport Harbor is looking for ways to get more production on offense. The Sailors had three players finish with kills against Santa Margarita, led by Caldwell’s 16. Outside hitter Rusty Sary added 11 and middle blocker Kevin Rakestraw had five.

“I saw some good things even though we lost,” Glenn said. “We need to eliminate some unforced errors and we need to spread our offense around. We have a ways to go.”

The playoffs are two months away and given the Sailors’ history, it’s a safe bet they’ll be ready. Caldwell is confident, citing the way Glenn likes to build as the year moves on.

“We are an end-of-the-season team,” Caldwell said. “Where we are now and where will end up will be much different.”

Santa Margarita coach Bryan Cottriel, who spent time as an assistant coach with Glenn at Newport Harbor, said he thinks the Sailors will figure it out, especially with Caldwell on the court.

“Cody’s Cody,” Cottriel said. “We are lucky he can’t play the front row for six rotations.”