Oilers continue to roll in Sunset League

One match was all that stood in the way of the Huntington Beach High boys’ volleyball team from making a clean sweep through its 2013 Sunset League schedule.

The league champion Oilers upped their league record to 9-0 and overall mark to 25-2 by downing host Los Alamitos, 25-14, 25-10 25-20, Friday. The victory was the ninth by sweep in Sunset play and left the Oilers one win shy of completing a 10-0 league run for the second straight year.

Sophomore outside hitter TJ DeFalco had 14 kills, junior outside hitter Brenden Sander four kills and three blocks, and senior middle blocker Andrew TenBrink had seven kills.

Huntington, ranked No. 4 in CIF Southern Section Division 1, played its final Sunset match Tuesday against Edison. The score wasn’t available at press time.

“It’s good to get a win, and continue to improve,” Huntington Coach Craig Pazanti said. “At this point, we are just trying to get better every match, and be playing our best volleyball come playoff time.”

Huntington will carry the No. 1 seed from the Sunset League into next week’s CIF Southern Section playoffs. The postseason brackets will be announced Saturday. First-round games start Tuesday.

“I feel like this is the healthiest we’ve been all year,” Pazanti said. “If we can continue to stay focused in practice, and play as a team, I like our [playoff] chances.

“There are several teams that have the ability to make a run in the playoffs. This group has a lot of guys who have been on this team for a few years. I’m hoping that experience helps us to be there in the end.”

Huntington’s final regular season opponent Tuesday is Edison, which won its third consecutive Sunset League match and secured third place and a CIF playoff berth in the process on April 25 by sweeping visiting Fountain Valley, 25-22, 25-21, 25-21.

Jimmy Webb was the kill leader for the Chargers with 15 who clinched a playoff berth on senior night.

“I think we are currently playing our best volleyball of the season,” Edison Coach Trent Jackson said. “I hope we can continue to improve and make a run during the playoffs.”

Newport Harbor claimed second place and the No. 2 playoff bid from the Sunset League Friday when the Sailors (19-8, 7-2 in league) swept host Marina, 25-20, 25-22, 25-18. Junior outside hitter Logan Atkeson had eight kills for the Vikings.

Marina fell to 1-8 in league and 10-17 overall. The Vikings closed out their season Tuesday against Fountain Valley. The score wasn’t available at press time.

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Track and Field

Sunset League titles in boys’ and girls’ competition will be up for grabs Thursday when the league finals get underway at 2 p.m. at Huntington Beach High.

The Golden West League finals also are Thursday, starting with field events at 2 p.m. and running events at 3 p.m. at Westminster High. The 3,200 meters, 4x100 and 4x400 relays, and most field events finals (high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus) will be held Thursday.

The pole vault finals were held Wednesday at Ocean View but results weren’t available at press time.

Ocean View qualified several athletes for Thursday’s running events finals: Danelle Almiranez (girls’ 100 meters); Kendall Small (boys’ 100 and 200); Treasure Robinson (girls’ 100 and 200); Mo Shehadeh (boys’ 100 and 200); Savannah Schroeder (girls’ 200 and 400); Francisco Valencia (boys’ 400); Sam Romo (girls’ 400); Noah Mendoza (boys’ 100 and 300 hurdles); Jade Kratovil (girls’ 400, 100 and 300 hurdles); Kristina Cooley (girls’ 400); Cheyanne Ferguson (400); Julie Vargas (800 and 1,600); Emily McColloch (800 and 1,600); Cinthis Ruiz (800); Kevelin Huerta (1,600); Courtney Buckels (300 hurdles).

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Swimming

The Golden West League finals will be held at Ocean View High starting at 3 p.m.

The Sunset League finals were Wednesday. League results weren’t available at press time.