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Caldwell helps Newport Harbor stay on track

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Volleyball roundup: The 6-foot-8 setter dominates in a four-set victory over Edison.

Newport Harbor volleyball player Kyle Caldwell stood by himself and watched as Edison warmed up before their fourth game, his face clearly upset with his team for having just let the Chargers back into the match.

It was one of the few times Caldwell was not in control.

The 6-foot-8 setter, who lives in a middle blocker's body and moves like an outside hitter, led the Sailors as if he played all three positions Tuesday in their 25-14, 31-29, 22-25, 25-19 victory against the host Chargers.

“He's got that ‘It' quality that you talk about with special athletes,” Sailors coach Dan Glenn said. “Sometimes I get a little mad at him because I want him to be more offensive and attack the ball. He likes to tip and do his little toss shots and I want him to go up and whack it. He's just a phenomenal athlete.”

Caldwell, signed to play at UCLA in the fall, might have been toying with Edison as well with his flexibility around the net. He collected 43 assists, 11 kills, six aces and four blocks.

“There‘s not a whole lot you can do when the pass is on the net,” Edison coach Brian Boone said.

It was where Newport Harbor (click here to see record) as a team was at its strongest. Middle blockers Tucker Peleuses had 18 kills and five blocks and Max Volz had 11 kills and five blocks. Glenn said blocking has been his team's biggest improvement during the season. Newport Harbor (25-3, 7-0) has won 15 in a row and is on the brink of winning the Sunset League title.

“We've been forced to improve because our league is so strong,” said Glenn, expressing some relief for beating the Chargers a second time after Edison nearly won the teams' first meeting by taking a 2-0 lead.

The Chargers (13-11, 5-2) opened the match with a lot of emotion and appeared headed for another five-game showdown. Carl Eberts and Nick Cappricio each had 16 kills and Kyle Campana made a big contribution off the bench. Edison led a competitive second game most the way, but was derailed by three late serving errors.

“We squandered our major opportunity in Game 2,” Boone said. “I told (my players) before the match, ‘If you want to beat this team you have to be able to execute those tight serves.' Other than that, we were battling. They're one of the best I've seen in awhile.”

In the Orange Coast League:

Calvary Chapel 3, Laguna Beach 2: Michah Sherman had 23 kills and Cameron Karkut had 32 assists as the host Eagles (8-13, 5-2) rallied to win the final two games and upset the Breakers (6-1, 14-7), 16-25, 25-18, 17-25, 25-22, 20-18.

Contact the writer: amaya@ocregister.com