One more story to emphasize the rivalry. The 1984 Corona del Mar team was hammered in the CIF final by a very talented Gahr team (coached by current Long Beach State Coach Brian Gimmillaro) in three games. When they played again in the state final, CdM won in an upset over Gahr, who had nine girls who eventually played Division I college volleyball including two-time Olympian Tara Cross. CdM was led by state Player of the Year Brooke Herrington, as well as Andrea Redick, Cammie Doder, Linda Burton, Cristy Moiso, Jennifer Noonan and Jill Harrington. I feel very fortunate to have coached this team. It was a great season and the first state championship for a girls’ high school team in the Newport-Mesa area.
Unfortunately, Newport Harbor had beaten CdM both times that they played that season, both times in five games and both times 15-13 in the fifth. Newport was led by Lara Asper, Laura Power and Tracy Krueger. While Corona won the state title, the Sea Kings did not even win the city championship.
