High School Roundup: Oilers, OV sweep, advance

Huntington Beach High and Ocean View are moving forward in the CIF Southern Section girls’ volleyball playoffs.

Both the Oilers and Seahawks picked up first-round home victories Tuesday. The Oilers, the second-place team from the Sunset League, did so by sweeping Mission Viejo (South Coast League No. 3), 25-19, 25-8, 25-15, in a Division 1-AA game. The Seahawks, the No. 2 team from the Golden West League, eliminated Chaffey (Mt. Baldy League No. 3), 25-20, 19-25, 25-22, 25-23, in Division 4-AA.

Fountain Valley, an at-large entry to the Division 1-AA playoffs, fell in its first-round match Tuesday, 25-17, 25-11, 25-15, to Trinity League champ and fifth-ranked Orange Lutheran.

In Huntington’s sweep, Kendra Koelsch had eight kills and eight blocks, Katie Lespier seven kills and five aces, and Ashley Stevens had 14 digs.

“It’s always nice to start the playoffs at home,” Huntington Coach Craig Pazanti said. “I think the girls felt comfortable, and that allowed us to really play well. It was the best we’ve played defensively all year. I’m hoping we can continue to stay relaxed and keep it rolling Thursday.”

The Oilers, who improved to 25-6, play host to Mater Dei (Trinity League No. 2), in a 7 p.m. second-round match Thursday.

The Monarchs swept Temecula Valley (Southwestern League No. 3), 25-15, 25-12, 25-12, Tuesday.

“Mater Dei is a great team, and a great volleyball program,” Pazanti said. “I know they will be prepared, but so will we. I’m anticipating a great match from both teams.”

The teams also met last year in the second round, a match won by Mater Dei.

In Ocean View’s win against Chaffey, Jaty Newman had 26 kills, Juliana Schat 13 kills and 27 digs, Tobi Salzman 26 digs, Leota Coyne six kills and 18 digs, and Brennan Cutrell had 40 assists as the Seahawks (14-8) advanced to a Thursday second-round matchup at top-seeded Hemet, which had a first-round bye.

“We did a pretty good job keeping the momentum on our side,” Ocean View Coach Seth Cutrell said. “After losing Game 2, we continued to fight and didn’t give up. Our girls played great [Tuesday night].”

The division quarterfinals are Saturday, and semifinals are Tuesday.

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Boys’ Water Polo

Edison received an at-large bid to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs, and the Chargers on Tuesday made the most of their chance by rallying in the second half at El Toro (South Coast League No. 3) to defeat the Chargers, 16-10.

Edison, which played the match without starter Ryan Warde, trailed, 8-5 at the half, but outscored El Toro, 11-2, over the final two quarters.

The Chargers mounted their comeback by posting seven goals in the third quarter.

Alec Niederland led Edison in scoring with six goals. Justin Harrison scored four goals, Alex Nathan had three goals, Troy Oates scored twice, and Dane Estrella had one goal. Nick Halloran had 12 saves

Edison, which won its 20th game of the season to improve to 20-8, advanced to play at No. 2-seeded Harvard-Westlake Wednesday. The score wasn’t available at press time.

“In the first half we struggled to get the ball into our center resulting in ill-advised outside shots,” Edison Coach Diggy Riley said. “At halftime, we spoke about playing our game, which is an inside-out game. Our offense starts with our center. On defense we ran a drop and our defenders put a lot of pressure on their shooters the rest of the game.

“It was a huge win for our boys. We knew going into this game a few things would be working against us, mainly having to go on the road and play a very good El Toro team with a ton of tradition. In addition, we played without starter Ryan Warde. El Toro always has a great, loud and rowdy crowd, and last night was no different. I am so proud of this team, they have earned the right to represent the top 16 teams in this very, very good Division 1.”

Huntington Beach, runner-up in the Sunset League title race, played a first-round Division 1 game Wednesday at Corona del Mar. The score wasn’t available at press time.

The Oilers were ranked No. 8, and the Sea Kings, the No. 2 team from the Sea View League, were No. 9.

Winners from Wednesday’s Division 1 first-round action advance to play in Saturday’s quarterfinal round. The division semifinals are Nov. 20 at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center in Irvine.

Ocean View, the second-place team from the Golden West League and seeded fifth in Division 7, played a wild-card game Tuesday against Cypress (Empire League No. 4). The Seahawks advanced by overpowering the visiting Centurions, 20-5.

The Seahawks play a first-round game Thursday at San Andreas League champion San Gorgonio.

The Division 7 quarterfinals are Saturday, and semifinal games are Wednesday.

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Cross-Country

The CIF Southern Section Cross-Country Divisional Preliminaries are Saturday at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut. Local schools competing at prelims will run in the following divisions and times: Girls’ Division 1, Heat 3, 8:33 a.m. (Edison and Marina; individual: Cassy Durgy, Huntington Beach); Girls’ Division 3, Heat 1, 10:41 a.m. (Ocean View); Boys’ Division 1 (Edison, Heat 1, 9:17 a.m.; Fountain Valley, Heat 2, 9:42 a.m.; Marina, Heat 3, 10:07 a.m.).

The top teams in each division at prelims advance to the CIF Southern Section finals Nov. 23, also at Mt. SAC.