SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS : VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP : Huntington Beach Saves the Last Victory Dance for Itself

Friday was prom night for students of Huntington Beach High School--except for members of the boys’ volleyball team.

While classmates danced at a Disneyland Hotel ballroom, the Oilers rallied to defeat Los Angeles Loyola in a Southern Section Division 4-A quarterfinal match, 13-15, 14-16, 16-14, 15-13, 15-7, at Huntington Beach High.

The Oilers (19-2) advance to Tuesday’s semifinals against Mira Costa, which defeated San Marcos, 11-15, 15-11, 15-2, 15-7, at a sight to be determined.

When the 2-hour, 45-minute match was over, the Huntington Beach players lifted a sign toward the Loyola bench. It read: “You ruined our prom . . . We ruined your season”.

Prior to the match, Oiler players and coaches were upset that Loyola, the third-seeded team, wouldn’t reschedule the match for Thursday night or for an earlier start than 7:30 p.m. Friday to accommodate Huntington Beach prom-goers.

After losing the first two games, the Oilers channeled their anger toward a stronger middle attack and better blocking against Loyola’s potent outside hitting. Middle blockers Jeff Vanderwal and Claude Doumerc took control of the match in the final three games after Huntington Beach began taking advantage of Loyola’s smaller middle players.

Vanderwal finished with 25 kills, including the match-winner, and Doumerc added 21 kills and eight blocks. Outside hitter Troy Wooton’s opportunities came after Loyola tried to stop Vanderwal and Doumerc, and Wooton took advantage with 22 kills.

Loyola outside hitter Rick Hillman was unstoppable in the first two games and finished with a match-high 42 kills.