“This is the greatest win I’ve ever had in my high school career,” said CdM senior Weston Nielsen, who led the Sea Kings (20-8), ranked No. 2 in CIF Southern Section Division I, with 14 kills and added seven digs. Nielsen and his teammates were swept up in a few hundred students who stormed the court after the dramatic, 111-minute match reached its climax when a serve was passed out of bounds.
Even after the two teams shook hands, Nielsen roamed the court, embracing friends, draping them with the same sweat he needed to subdue the Sailors (18-9), ranked No. 5 in CIF Division I.
“Our quote of the night was that we were going to come together and fight as a team, or we were going to die as individuals,” Nielsen said. “This is just a dream come true. I woke up last night and didn’t sleep for hours. I’ve been thinking about this moment, so I’m glad it came true this year with all my teammates.”
CdM Coach Steve Conti, among those enveloped by a Nielsen hug, was beaming as brightly as his players after his team overcame a 3-0 deficit in the deciding game that began when the Sailors were awarded a point due to Conti turning in his pregame lineup late.
“Just a typical barn-burner Battle of the Bay,” Conti said. “This is a very good [Sailors] team. Any time you can beat a Dan Glenn-coached team in their place, it says a lot about our character.”
That character was on display after the hosts seized the opening game.
CdM then settled in and took control, winning the second game and pounding the Sailors in Game 3.
But Newport Harbor, which was led by 6-foot-6 junior outside hitter Cody Caldwell’s 28 kills, showed some fortitude of its own by dominating Game 4 and leading most of the fifth game.
Both coaches said they were happy with the way their team played and were equally complimentary of the opponent.
