Sailors begin new season against Santa Margarita

It’s been said, those who don’t learn from history are destined to repeat it.

The Newport Harbor High boys’ volleyball team will most likely ponder this when two losses come to mind as the Sailors prepare to open the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs against Santa Margarita (21-15) at home tonight at 7.

One loss is as recent as last week, while the other comes from last year.

Newport Harbor (19-15) lost in three games to Back Bay rival Corona del Mar on May 4. The Sailors had won six straight heading into their match against the Sea Kings.

Now Newport Harbor is hoping to recapture that momentum to avoid losing in the first round of the CIF playoffs, as it did last year.

It won’t matter to Coach Dan Glenn, but his Sailors defeated Santa Margarita, 22-25, 25-13, 15-11 on March 10, at the Poway Best of the West Tournament.

Weston Dunlap, a UCLA-bound senior, as well as juniors Kyle Caldwell and Tucker Peleuses are among the key players for Newport Harbor, which finished second in the Sunset League.

Santa Margarita was third in the Trinity League.

— Steve Virgen