What happened: The Sailors are still undefeated in league and showed why they are the No. 1 team in the county by defeating the Aztecs 25-14, 34-32, 25-21 in Sunset play Friday night at Esperanza High.

Records: Newport Harbor 8-0; Esperanza 4-3

Impact: The Aztecs had one last chance at earning a share of the league title, and they needed a victory for that to happen. Newport Harbor clinches at least a share of the title, with a match against second-place Edison (6-2) next week.

How it looked: The Sailors played about as hot of volleyball as a team can play in Game 1. They were blocking to perfection, and keeping everything alive on defense. It was the start Newport needed. They beat Esperanza in five games on Monday night, but it was a match the Aztecs should have won, the Sailors said. Their strong start to Game 1 took the large home Aztecs crowd right out of the match.

Game 2 was the highlight of the season, and the best game of volleyball I have seen. The Aztecs led 24-22, and had 7 game points in all. The Sailors had four before finishing the game off on Will Connelly’s kill off the block. Connelly’s kill set up game point.

The atmosphere felt like a CIF semifinal match, and the Sailors winning it put Esperanza in too deep a hole. Newport led throughout Game 3, as the Aztecs just weren’t able to put together a run.

High five to …: Newport Harbor’s Hamilton Day. The senior outside hitter was lights out for his squad. Day missed two serves on the night, and I think those are the only two mistakes he made. Every other time he touched the ball, good things happened. His blocking was the key to Game 1, and he hit for a good percentage the entire match.

More from the boys volleyball blog:

• Boys volleyball: Three of the Day
• Boys volleyball: Thursday’s recap
• Boys volleyball: Santa Margarita completes impressive sweep
• Boys volleyball: Mater Dei off quickly in Game 3 (updated)
• Boys volleyball: Santa Margarita rallies in Game 2, in control of match
• Boys volleyball: Santa Margarita in front to start Game 2 (updated)
• Boys volleyball: Santa Margarita fights back, takes Game 1

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