Sary verbals to USC

Newport Harbor High junior setter Cinnamon Sary said she has verbally committed to play for the USC women’s volleyball program after she graduates from high school.

Sary, a two-time Daily Pilot Newport-Mesa Dream Team pick, said she informed USC Thursday when visiting its campus.

“USC and Pepperdine were my top two choices,” said Sary, who earned first-team All-CIF Southern Section Division I-AA and first-team All-Sunset League honors in 2010. “I visited both campuses and I liked both, but something about USC feels like home to me. Also, USC has a prestigious film school and that’s what I want to study and I’m ultimately going for an education.”

Sary said the decision was a tough one, but it helped having a familiar face at USC.

At Newport Harbor in 2009, Sary played with Kirby Burnham, a current Trojan. Sary and Burnham led the Sailors to a CIF Southern Section Division I-AA title and CIF State Division I title.

Burnham was part of the USC team that reached the NCAA national semifinal last season, the program’s sixth Final Four appearance in the last 11 seasons.

Sary said she plans to play beach volleyball for the Trojans as well.

Sary led Newport Harbor (22-13, 7-3 in league) with 774 assists and 120 blocks, and finished with 230 kills, 176 digs and eight service aces last season.

— David Carrillo Peñaloza