Volleyball:

Friday marks a special day in every Newport Harbor High and Corona del Mar girls’ volleyball player’s season. The annual Battle of the Bay is always one to remember for not only varsity players but the younger teams too.

With the frosh-soph game starting at 3:30 p.m. in the main gym at Newport Harbor, each frosh-soph team takes the main court for the first time all year. The junior varsity match will follow at 4:30 with varsity starting 20 minutes after the conclusion of the JV match.

Most of these players have competed against or with the players on the other team, for years. The crowds are always outstanding and it is a great way for the regular season to end. This year’s match is for cancer awareness. All teams from both schools, will wear pink jerseys and those in the crowd are encouraged to break out their best pink shirts. It has also been labeled as an alumni gathering for both Newport Harbor alumni and Corona del Mar alumni. All proceeds will be donated to the Hoag Hospital Cancer Center.

Pink Out!

The history of this rivalry goes back to the beginning of CIF high school girls’ volleyball during the mid-70’s. Starting with the 1977 CIF final which CdM won in two straight games (they only played two out of three in the 70’s). CdM was coached by Kathy Bulmer and led by Dale Keough, Cheryl Johnston, and Aileen Semonson. Newport Harbor’s stars were setter phenom Marie Lundie and Karen Olsen.

Newport was coached by Judy Fogt..

The next CIF final featuring the two teams was in 1979 when Newport, led by Kari Rush, Kori and Kris Pulaski, beat CdM in three games.

Bill Ashen’s CdM team featured Marcie Wurts, Suzie Crone, and Sue Corea.

These girls all played on the same club team, so it was quite an interesting rivalry.

The 1987 CIF final was a major event. CdM and Newport, in the best division, playing for the CIF championship at Marina High before a crowd of over 4,000 and live television with Chris Marlowe and Paul Sunderland announcing for Prime Ticket.