Corona del Mar Sweeps Newport Harbor in Intense Battle of the Bay Match 1 (2025)

Newport Beach – Ralph Reed Gymnasium (NHHS)

In a match filled with playoff-level intensity, Corona del Mar showed their dominance over rival Newport Harbor, sweeping the Battle of the Bay in straight sets—25-20, 25-15, 25-21—on Wednesday night.

At the center of it all was junior Drake Foley, who has embraced a major role shift this season. Originally a libero, Foley stepped into the setter position at the request of coach Katey Thompson, responding with a simple, determined: “OK, coach. Teach me how to set.” That decision paid off in a big way as Foley orchestrated the offense with 26 assists and two kills, leading CdM (8-4, 2-1) to victory.

The Newport Harbor gym was packed with passionate fans, adding to the intensity of the rivalry. The Sailors’ student section was so loud that officials issued a yellow card to the home crowd. But CdM never wavered, playing disciplined volleyball while keeping Newport Harbor (10-5, 0-1) on their heels.

From the opening set, the Sea Kings controlled the tempo. Tied 14-14, Foley stepped up with a four-point serving run, helping CdM take control and close out the set with a well-placed push for a kill. In Set 2, CdM raced to a 9-2 lead, never letting Newport Harbor get within six points.

The third set saw the most resistance from the Sailors, who held a 16-14 lead and later tied it at 19-19 on a cross-court kill from Henry Clemo. However, Hunter Hannemann took control in the closing moments, delivering three late kills and a block in CdM’s final six points, including the match-winner. Hannemann finished with eight kills.

CdM’s offensive leader was Ben Brown, a transfer from Chicago, who tallied a match-high 13 kills and provided a reliable presence on the floor. “He’s a great asset,” Foley said of Brown’s impact.

Interim Sailors coach Matt Johnson, who took over the program in January, acknowledged his team’s slow start. “You can’t wait until you’re down 2-0 in the match. It’s all about determination and having the right mindset,” Johnson said.

For CdM, this dominant win was a confidence booster after last week’s tough loss to Huntington Beach. Foley, playing outside his comfort zone, continues to rise to the challenge. “It gets me out of my comfort zone,” Foley said. “But it’s fun.”