Sailors Open With Monarchs

Although Newport Harbor is the third-seeded team for the Southern Section Division I boys’ volleyball playoffs, the Sailors did not get a favorable draw and will host South Coast League champion Mater Dei in the first round at 7 p.m. Friday.

Newport Harbor, which earned a co-championship of the Sea View League with fourth-seeded Corona del Mar, finished the season ranked second in the county and Mater Dei was sixth-ranked after sharing the South Coast League title with Capistrano Valley.

Four county teams will participate in Division I wild-card matches Wednesday. San Clemente travels to Esperanza, Fountain Valley plays at Bellflower St. John Bosco and El Toro is at Lakewood.

The only other seeded county team is Laguna Beach, which is No. 2 in Division III. The Artists have a bye in the first round and host the St. Margaret’s-Playa del Rey St. Bernard winner May 18.

The section championships are May 29 at Cypress College.