Unlike the “Battle of the Bell” football game between Edison and Fountain Valley, tonight’s showdown between No. 2 Newport Harbor and No. 5 Corona del Mar didn’t need to switch venues or deal with a ticket uproar.

The teams meet in the “Battle of the Bay” girls volleyball style tonight at 6 p.m. at Newport Harbor High. Corona del Mar is seeking its first victory in the series since beating the Sailors in five games in 2004.

Newport Harbor wrapped up a share of the Sunset League title last night by sweeping Edison. CdM defeated Beckman to finish the Pacific Coast League undefeated.

Newport Harbor

Record: 23-6, 9-1

County ranking: No. 2

CIF-SS Division I-AA: No. 2

Notable victories: Long Beach Poly, Santa Margarita, Assumption (Kentucky), Los Alamitos, Torrey Pines

Notable losses: Arichbishop Mitty, Los Alamitos, La Costa Canyon, Dos Pueblos

Corona del Mar

Record: 22-4, 8-0

County ranking: No. 5

CIF-SS Division II-AA ranking: No. 2

Notable victories: Santa Margarita, Santa Barbara, Harvard-Westlake

Notable loses: Mira Costa, Los Alamitos, Archbishop Mitty

Outlook: Corona del Mar has nothing to lose in this one, and it should allow the Sea Kings to play loose and free. On the flip side, it would seem a Newport Harbor loss could hurt the Sailors’ playoff seeding. Currently ranked No. 2 in their Division, a Sailors victory would presumably wrap up the second seed. CdM, evidenced by a big victory over Santa Barbara last weekend, is playing great volleyball heading into tonight’s match and the playoffs. The Sea Kings need to turn in a spectacular defensive effort if they hope to beat Newport Harbor. The Sailors height and versatility make slowing the Sailors a difficult task.

Prediction: Newport Harbor in four.

More from the girls volleyball blog:

• Girls volleyball: Thursday’s recap
• Girls volleyball: Tuesday’s recap
• Girls volleyball: Santa Margarita, El Toro notch big victories
• Girls volleyball: Thursday’s recap

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.