Inside Newport Harbor Girls Volleyball with Coach Pat Eaton
A closer look at the Sailors’ key players, defensive identity, offensive attack, and 2026 schedule.
00:00 – Welcome & Introductions
The hosts kick off the 2026 Sunset Rewind girls’ volleyball preview and welcome Newport Harbor head coach Pat Eaton.
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01:46 – Returning Players & Key Additions
Coach Eaton discusses the returning roster, filling the leadership void left by graduated senior Leia Barry, and the emergence of junior Morgan Starkenberg.
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05:44 – Finding the Starting Libero
The conversation turns to Newport Harbor’s defensive back row, where senior Natalie Wells has emerged as the team’s primary libero after a summer of intensive sand volleyball training.
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07:16 – Coaching Philosophy & Effort
Coach Eaton explains his competitive philosophy, emphasizing defensive hustle, maximum effort, and strong serving and passing.
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09:31 – Offensive Style & Pace
Eaton outlines his goal of avoiding a “vanilla” offense by playing at a fast pace and utilizing diverse routes, talented pin hitters, and size in the middle.
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11:46 – Coaching Staff & Player Development
Coach Eaton praises his assistant coaches and support staff across all levels, highlighting their focus on developing athletes both on and off the court.
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15:55 – Season Tournament Schedule
The hosts and Coach Eaton preview Newport Harbor’s challenging tournament schedule, featuring local county matchups and a major national trip to the Durango tournament in Las Vegas.
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18:51 – Sunset League Strength & Rivalries
The group discusses the overall strength of the Sunset League, its elite coaching, lack of easy matches, and intense rivalries among players who have grown up competing against one another.
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20:42 – The Battle of the Bay
The hosts and Coach Eaton look ahead to the highly anticipated “Battle of the Bay” matchups against rival Corona del Mar and discuss how the high-pressure atmosphere prepares the team for the CIF playoffs.