The Huntington Beach boys volleyball team was taken to the limit in the first match of Saturday’s Gold Division playoffs of the Best of the West Invitational.
On two separate occassions, the Oilers faced set point on two separate occassions.
Whatever the situation, the Oilers found a way to survive, eventually ending the day and tournament with a 25-17, 25-18 victory over Newport Harbor in the finals to win a third consecutive Best of the West title.
Thanks to the undefeated run through the tournament, the Oilers increases their current winning streak to 120 matches.
Huntington Beach went 3-0 in pool play Friday.
“When you get to the second day of this tournament, everybody is good,” Huntington Beach coach Craig Pazanti said. “You have to come out and play every match.”
In the quarterfinals (San Clemente) and semifinals (Mira Costa), the Oilers won two of the sets 28-26 and the other two ended 25-22.
Against Mira Costa, the Oilers trailed 24-20, rallied to tie the set at 24-24. They would take the set 28-26.
“We had contributions from different guys,” Pazanti said. “(Eric) Beatty was tournament MVP and (Tanner) Woods was all-tournament, but Shane Holdaway, Sean Morrissey … it was coming different guys. Noah Franklin came in on the right against Mira Costa and seven kills.”
The Oilers return to action on March 25 against Marina.
Landon Monroe and Cole Pender were all-tournament selections for Newport Harbor. Jess Hunt earned honors for San Clemente.
