PREP ROUNDUP : Huntington Beach Rallies, but Edison Hangs On

The Huntington Beach girls’ volleyball team tried to ride the right arm of Melissa Wendt to victory Thursday, but the Oilers, ranked second in Orange County, ran out of gas and lost to third-ranked Edison in five games.

Edison posted a 15-11, 16-14, 3-15, 13-15, 15-11 victory in a Sunset League match at Edison.

The Chargers (10-0, 4-0 in league) used a balanced attack led by Shelby Clemens (15 kills), Kari Hogancamp (13), and Erin McCown (13) to offset a big night from Wendt, who had 33 kills.

Wendt, a 6-foot-2 junior outside hitter, had 11 kills in Game 4, helping the Oilers score the final four points of the game to force a fifth game.

“Every time Melissa goes up she scares the heck out of me,” Edison Coach Dave Mohs said. “Jill Meyers also played well for them and when you get those two going . . .”

Huntington Beach (7-2, 3-1) looked as if it was heading for an early exit after the Chargers won the first two games.

But the Chargers lapsed in Game 3, losing, 15-3, before their defense returned and made Huntington Beach struggle for its 15-13 victory in Game 4.

“Ball control was the difference,” Huntington Beach Coach Rocky Ciarelli said. “Their passing and defense was better tonight.”

McCown and Hogancamp each had 23 digs and setter Jill Butts had 50 assists and 10 kills.