NEWPORT BEACH — Like father, like son.
Almost for Bruce Caldwell and his son Kyle.
Bruce literally sat on the edge of his seat watching Kyle star on the same volleyball court he did back for the Newport Harbor High boys’ team in 1980.
A lot was on the line against Santa Margarita. Kyle finally let dad breathe easier. He lifted a fist at the end, signaling to Bruce that he’s about to catch him.
The versatile senior led the Sailors to the CIF Southern Section Division I championship match after Newport Harbor swept Santa Margarita, 25-22, 25-20, 25-16, in the semifinals Wednesday night.
The three games in front of a raucous crowd looked so effortless for No. 1-seeded Newport Harbor (31-3).
In the previous three years, nothing has really come easy to Caldwell and the senior-laden Sailors in the playoffs. Early exits have ended Caldwell’s childhood dream of playing in the section title and claiming it like his father did in 1980.
“It’s really cool to follow in his footsteps,” said Caldwell, a 6-foot-8 setter considered the top high school volleyball player in the country.
If you caught Caldwell way before the start of the match, before hundreds of fans packed the gym, you wouldn’t have thought he was the star heading to UCLA next season. More like an equipment manager.
Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn said Caldwell brought out the referee stand. Nearby, Glenn said another standout player, USC-bound senior opposite Tucker Peleuses, put up the pads on the posts.
“The last time they did that was their freshmen year,” Glenn said. “I think the seniors really realized that this was their last [match] in this gym.”
Glenn, the longtime coach, made sure the Sailors knew beforehand. He told them.
In return, the players reacted as if this was the final match of their careers. They executed in all facets, from passing, blocking, digging, serving and hitting. Never has Glenn said he’s seen his team excel so high during this playoff run.
Newport Harbor made sure it qualified for its seventh title match in the program’s history. Everyone contributed to the Sailors winning their 21 straight match, allowing them to play No. 2 Manhattan Beach Mira Costa (30-5) Saturday for the championship at Cal State Dominguez Hills at 7:30 p.m.
