Huntington Beach girls’ volleyball advances to CIF semifinals, extends winning streak to 20 matches
Through the years, Huntington Beach High School volleyball coach Craig Pazanti has been willing to roll the dice with youth in his starting lineups.
While experience at the varsity level is considered an asset when the CIF Southern Section playoffs come around, Pazanti has a great deal of confidence in what he has seen from the group on the floor.
Sophomore outside hitter Haylee LaFontaine had a match-high 14 kills to lead Huntington Beach past Tesoro 25-15, 25-20, 25-17 on Wednesday at home in the quarterfinals of the Division 2 playoffs.
The No. 3-seeded Oilers (27-5) experienced great success hitting from the right pin. Freshman opposite Taylor Ponchak produced 12 kills, half of which came in the opening set.
“The 6-2 [offense] allows us to keep right-side attackers in the front row the whole time,” Pazanti said. “… Taylor is a freshman. I think she’s just progressed every match we’ve played. We’re 32 matches in now, and I told her she’s not a freshman anymore.”
Ponchak has also filled in at middle blocker when the Oilers needed her there due to injuries.
“She’s a pretty savvy, physical player, and she’s just going to keep getting better,” Pazanti added.
Huntington Beach, the undefeated Surf League champion, extended its winning streak to 20 matches. The Oilers have not taken a loss since Sept. 10. Huntington Beach will be on the road at No. 2-seeded Palos Verdes (25-7) in the semifinals on Saturday at 4 p.m.
“It’s an amazing experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world,” Ponchak said.
Senior opposite Lillian Perkins had nine kills and 1½ blocks for the Oilers. Sophomore setter Dani Sparks produced 17 assists and four service aces to go with some standout digs on defense, and fellow sophomore setter Meghan Freck distributed 19 assists. Sophomore middle blocker Kylie Leopard also contributed four kills and 2½ blocks.
“We’re pretty confident for now,” Sparks said. “We’re a pretty young team, so we have … room for improvement.”
The Titans (18-10), who won the Sea View League title, were led by Ellie Hanson with 10 kills and two blocks. Ava Anderson added eight kills, and Issa Grana ended up with a match-high 21 assists.
During his team’s prolonged winning streak, Pazanti has placed his focus on the next task at hand for the Oilers. He said the goal for the team now is to win two more matches in the section playoffs, which would land the program its first CIF title since 1996. Huntington Beach last reached a CIF final in girls’ volleyball in 2009.
One thing that has Pazanti believing his team can achieve that goal is its cohesiveness.
“It’s been a really good group,” Pazanti said. “They are a true team — and I mean a capital T, capital E, capital A, capital M. They play for each other. They play with each other.”
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