Oilers Find Themselves by Beating the Artists

Third-ranked Huntington Beach certainly didn’t play like a team with an identity crisis Saturday night, when it defeated second-ranked Laguna Beach, 15-4, 9-15, 15-11, 15-8, in girls’ volleyball.

The victory capped a stellar opening week of play for the Oilers, who swept ninth-ranked San Clemente in their season opener Thursday.

Many were uncertain what to expect from the Oilers this season after Melissa Wendt, The Times Orange County player of the year in 1995, departed for UCLA.

But the Oilers played as a well-organized unit Saturday, with several big hitters emerging of Wendt’s shadow and setter Allison Ciarelli wearing her experience well in her second season as a starter.

Outside hitter Lauren Wilson led the Oilers (2-0) with 15 kills and middle blocker Julie Hinsche dominated the middle all night, finishing with 14 kills. Oiler outside hitter Dana Atkinson had 12.

Despite their smooth opening week, Oiler Coach Rocky Ciarelli said his team still has several kinks to work out.

“[We] will learn what kind of a team we are,” Ciarelli said. “We’re still trying to figure it out. Last year, it was easy. Boom--set the ball to Melissa.”

The Oilers appeared confused in the second game, when the Artists (0-1) went on an 11-1 run to take a 13-4 lead before winning the game.

The Artists jumped to a 5-0 lead in the third game, but the Oilers went on a 7-4 run to bring it to within two points, 9-7.

Molly Jahraus had a kill and aided Ashley Roth on a block to put the Artists up by four points, 11-7.

But the Oilers went on a 4-0 run, fueled by two Wilson kills, to tie it. Then Atkinson had a kill to give the Oilers the lead for good.

“That’s just crazy. You have to stick it to a team. You have to take advantage of your opponent when you are up that high,” Laguna Beach Coach Vickie Gentry said.

Huntington Beach broke a 5-5 tie in the final game, going on a 4-0 run, and never looked back.

The Artists (0-1) played without outside hitter Cameron DeGeus, a 5-10 junior transfer from Dana Hills. DeGeus, expected to start this season, sat out because she missed a practice.

Laguna Beach was led by Liz Belloni and Roth, who each had nine kills, and Kelly Garner, who had eight.

In the Century tournament:

Century wins--Century’s Allison Napier was named tournament MVP as the host Centurions defeated Corona, 15-5, 15-11, in the championship final. Laguna Hills defeated Loara, 15-5, 15-8, for third place.

In the Desert Classic tournament:

La Habra wins--Kirsten Berg had 46 kills in the two-day tournament to earn tournament most valuable player honors for the Highlanders, who captured the championship.

In the Valencia Tournament:

Valencia wins rematch--Valencia defeated Rosary, 15-13, 15-10, to win the Valencia tournament championship. Rosary beat the Tigers in two games during pool play Friday.

Cypress defeated Kennedy, 15-4, 14-16, 15-10, for third place.