Lightning

NEWPORT COAST - Leave it to Sage Hill School head coach and former NFL wide receiver JR Tolver to put a silver lining on a tough season. After Friday's 46-0 loss to Las Vegas Division III power Mountain View Christian - think of it as Estancia or a smaller version of Newport Harbor playing against the Lightning - Tolver still kept his players focusing on the big picture. Despite an 0-7 record - eight straight losses dating to last season - Academy League play still does not begin until Oct. 18 against Brethren Christian at Ocean View, after a much-needed bye week.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO - Halland Mckenna used a clapping motion every time she lined up to serve. Her hands never touched because the ball was in the way. All everyone heard were a couple of loud smacks. In the fifth set, she and Sage Hill School were six points away from putting away St. Margaret's on Tuesday. The rival schools met for the first time since their meeting in last year's CIF Southern Section Division 4-AA title match. They're still the top two girls' volleyball teams in their new division: 3-A. Like the previous matchup, this one went the distance.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO – The Sage Hill School girls' golf team found itself in unexpected territory in more than one way heading into its Academy League showdown with host St. Margaret's on Monday. Some of the Sage Hill girls had never played San Juan Hills Golf Club. The Lightning were also riding a two-match unbeaten streak in league and were 5-2 overall, arguably the best start in Coach Nicole Middaugh's three seasons. Middaugh said the Lightning received a reality check as the Tartans emerged with a 235-264 victory on the front nine.

NEWPORT COAST - On Friday night, the Sage Hill School football team played what Coach J.R. Tolver called perhaps its best opponent in his four-year tenure with the Lightning. During the game against Mission Prep of San Luis Obispo, Tolver got perhaps the most outwardly upset he has been during that tenure. The Lightning, missing their top two quarterbacks, were shut out by the Royals, 52-0. It was their most lopsided loss since losing to rival St. Margaret's, 70-0, in 2009. But Tolver had more of an issue with the way things transpired in the second quarter of the nonleague game at Sage Hill.

Liana Korber is now in her third straight year playing at No. 1 singles for the Sage Hill School girls' tennis team. In a way it makes perfect sense. Korber definitely is her own individual. She's the one who wears the multicolor shoes while on court, the shoes that are purple, pink and neon yellow with turquoise laces. "I saw these shoes on a commercial during the French Open, and I ran to the computer," Korber said. "I had to get them. They're just very 'me.' It's almost as if they had consulted me on what colors they should use ... I often clash, but I think it works, because it's me. " Korber also is the one with whom Sage Hill Coach A.G. Longoria will often joke, because she's always running off to go to some concert.

NEWPORT BEACH - Working together has never been a problem for the Newport Harbor High girls' tennis team. "Teamwork makes the dream work," is the motto on the Sailors' bracelets this year. Five Newport Harbor seniors helped make their dreams come true Saturday at The Tennis Club Newport Beach. Megan Bathen, Kaitlyn Cosenza, McKenna Johnson, Kelsey Christensen and Lexi DeSantis each delivered big performances to make sure the Lightning Invitational title stayed with the Sailors.

In their 11th season, Sage Hill School's football team is off to its first 0-3 start in program history. Sage was manhandled on Friday, losing, 30-8, to nonleague visitor Capistrano Valley Christian. With sophomore quarterback CJ McCord out with a broken arm, Sage's passing game struggled. Senior Harrison Ray stepped in McCord's place, completing just three of nine for 19 yards in the first half, but ended the night nine for 17 for 76 yards, along with an interception. The two teams hadn't squared off since 2008, so Capistrano Valley reintroduced itself by putting on a passing clinic for Sage.

GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL Sage Hill def. Fairmont Prep NEWPORT COAST - Sophomore outside hitter Halland McKenna had nine kills, nine digs and two aces to help lead the Lightning to a 25-14, 25-14, 25-15 nonleague win Wednesday night. Senior outside hitter Maggie Danner had six kills and seven digs, while senior middle blocker Brenna Van Hoogenstyn had three kills, three aces and three digs for Sage Hill (2-0), ranked No. 2 in CIF Southern Section Division 3A. The Lightning play at Irvine Friday at 5 p.m. * Estancia def. Segerstrom COSTA MESA - Junior Abby Griffith had nine kills to help lead the Eagles to a 25-8, 25-11, 25-15 nonleague win Wednesday.

The Newport Lighnting Basketball Club 9U boys' team finished a stellar summer season winning three club basketball tournaments and going 11-1. The Lightning boys won the Big City Sports "Summer Hoopfest," the Swoosh "Summer Series" and the South Coast "OC Slam" tournaments and placed second in the Swoosh "Summer Madness" tournament. The boys played excellent team basketball with timely passing and stifling defense each tournament. A balanced scoring attack led by Adam Garza, Tyler Li, Levi Darrow and Troy Olson continued to baffle opposing defenses.