The future looks bright for the Newport Harbor girls volleyball team.
The Sailors were led by a pair of freshmen and won the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions on Saturday, sweeping Hart, 25-23, 25-16, 25-18, in the championship match at J.R. Richards Gym.
Newport Harbor now owns the girls and boys Santa Barbara TOC titles in 2023. The boys won in the spring.
Newport Harbor freshman outside hitter Ella Olson was named the Most Valuable player and freshman outside Vladimir Kotzakov was picked to the all-tournament team along with senior middle Zoe Gaa.
The Sailors beat San Marcos in the semifinals, 25-21, 21-15, 25-14, 27-25.
The Royals later fell to Buchanan in the third-place game, 25-21, 25-20. 17-25, 26-24.
San Marcos junior setter Josie Gamberdella was picked to the all-tournament team.
Also honored were Madison Maxwell and Alexis Holloway of Hart and Grace Goudy of Buchanan.
Hart knocked off top-seeded Buchanan in a five-set semifinal battle, 25-20, 23-25, 25-14, 27-29, 15-8.
Host Santa Barbara High played Channel League-leading Ventura in the fifth-place match and outlasted the Cougars in five sets, 25-12, 25-18, 23-25, 18-25, 17-15.
“We started out the fifth set very fast,” said Santa Barbara coach Kristin Hempy. “When they went on a bit of a run, we talked about coming together and playing with high energy.”
The Dons used strong serving to slow Ventura’s offense.
Hempy praised “the great defense of Emmy Werner, and the hustle of Augustine Wooten inspired everyone to lock in and get the job done.”
Clovis beat Arizona’s Basha in the consolation final, Yorba Linda topped La Jolaa for ninth place and Rosary Academy beat Arroyo Grande in five sets for 11th place.