CALLING THE SHOTS:

Of course it was extremely difficult for the Newport Harbor High boys’ volleyball players to sleep Saturday night — and it will be for several more nights — but they should not hang their heads too low for too long.

This Sailors’ team should still rank among the great squads at Newport Harbor.

The 2008 Sailors’ 21-match win streak came to an end Saturday. After being up two games against Mira Costa at Cal State Dominguez Hills, they couldn’t finish the deal. They were trying to capture the school’s first CIF championship since 1999. That team was certainly great. And, the championship team in 1987, in Dan Glenn’s first year as coach, was incredible. That ’87 squad, led by Hugh Foster, never lost a match.

But the Sailors’ season ending like a nightmare won’t stop Glenn from thinking fondly of this bunch later on down the road. Yes, Glenn has an admiration for all his teams, but he expected something special this year because of the strong senior class. He sensed greatness from them when they arrived at Newport Harbor in the fall of 2004.

Certainly Kyle Caldwell leaves as one of the school’s all-time greats. If he came so close to winning the ultimate title in high school volleyball, something tells me he’ll be plenty motivated to add to UCLA’s success and deliver an NCAA crown for Coach Al Scates.

Caldwell is regarded as the best high school volleyball player in the nation and was a big reason why the Sailors were ranked the top team in the country by Student Sports and Rivals.com.

As a setter in Glenn’s system, the 6-foot-9 Caldwell was able to showcase the many facets of his game. Caldwell also possesses a strong competitive fire. So strong that it would not surprise me if Ben Howland came asking Scates if he could borrow George Yardley’s grandson.

Caldwell didn’t end his high school career with a CIF championship, but, as amazing as it sounds, I have a feeling he’s only shown a glimpse of what he’s capable of doing. That’s right, the setter teammates call, “Big Dog,” will only be better on the bigger stage.

He has had the right attitude, too, always talking about the team and how his guys needed to come to play if the Sailors had any chance. And, he always believed in them.

Tucker Pelueses, bound for USC, just might have something to say about Caldwell getting any NCAA rings in college.

Mark Liebermann’s headed for UC Santa Barbara.

Junior JB Green, a standout in football, added athleticism, and freshman Cody Caldwell is an up-and-comer. Both give the Sailors reason they can still be among the elite. But it will be difficult without the seniors.

STEVE VIRGEN may be reached at (714) 966-4616 or by e-mail at [email protected].