Super sophomores

NEWPORT BEACH — As the Newport Harbor High girls’ volleyball team advances in the state playoffs, the Sailors do their best to focus on the present. But with players like Cinnamon Sary and Alex Holbrook, who could blame them for dreaming about the future?

The sophomore duo performed at a high level for the Sailors, who beat visiting Huntington Beach, 25-16, 25-19, 25-15, Saturday to advance to the CIF State Division I Southern California Regional final.

Sary, a setter, recorded 41 assists and nine digs. Holbrook, an outside hitter, had eight kills. They say they’ve enjoyed the experience thus far while playing on the varsity, but they have also been eager to contribute instead of solely learning.

On a team rich with talent, they want to be the ones included rather than the underclassmen who will be great in a few years.

“I feel more motivated to work harder because I want to live up to the expectations and do as good as I can and make the team better,” Sary said of setting to players like seniors Kirby Burnham and Katey Thompson, and junior Maddy Brown.

When Sary played on the varsity last year, she said she felt intimidated at first, but now she fits in.

Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn has seen rapid improvement from his setter and said she has played her best matches in the postseason.

“She just has a calmness about her on the court that you really don’t normally see in a sophomore,” Glenn said. “I don’t treat her like a sophomore though. She played some varsity last year. She’s been setting all year. The best thing about her is that she really improved during the year and there’s been a lot of growth.”

Glenn was pleased with Holbrook’s performance against the Oilers. He knows the Sailors are that much better with an extra threat. They key, he said, is getting her the ball against the appropriate matchup.

“When we pass well we can get [Holbrook] the ball,” Glenn said. “... The best thing about Cinnamon and our passing is that we can kind of attack the other team’s weak spots.”

The sophomores will be ready to attack.