Huntington Beach’s Wendt Ousts Laguna Beach From the Playoffs

Outside hitter Melissa Wendt had 28 kills to lead Huntington Beach to a five-game victory over Laguna Beach in a Division I quarterfinal, 15-10, 13-15, 15-17, 15-5, 15-8.

The Oilers (16-3) face Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, which beat Santa Barbara San Marcos, in Thursday’s semifinals.

Laguna Beach (19-3) fought off game point, 14-13, in an emotional third game to win, 17-15. With momentum on the Artists’ side, and a 2-1 game advantage, it looked as though the Pacific Coast League champions would prevail.

But Huntington Beach scored seven unanswered points with senior Kim Watts at the serving line, and Laguna Beach was only able to come up with one more before dropping the game.

Using an almost flawless slide attack--run to the right, hit cross-court to the left--junior middle blocker Jill Meyers added 15 kills to Wendt’s 28. Coach Rocky Ciarelli was happy to discuss Wendt, Meyers and Gale’s class status. “All juniors. I like it when I say that--’juniors.”’