Winning has become a habit in recent years for the Huntington Beach boys volleyball team, and Tuesday night was just another example.
The Oilers, who have won consecutive CIF-SS and CIF Southern California Regional titles, set a CIF-SS record for consecutive victories with their 70th in a row, a 25-22, 25-19, 25-12 nonleague victory over visiting Servite.
The previous record was held by Laguna Beach, 1981-1983.
Huntington Beach ended the 2013 season with 24 consecutive victories, went 40-0 last year and has won its first six matches this season.
“It means we’ve been fortunate to have some really good players come through here in a short period of time,” Huntington Beach coach Craig Pazanti said of the streak. “I didn’t think much of it (the record) because we’re trying to do one (win) at a time.
“I’m glad that it is over now and we can focus on what we’re doing.”
Senior TJ DeFalco led the Oilers with 18 kills, and senior Ben Vaught added nine. Senior setter Josh Tuaniga had 37 assists and three blocks.
“We’ve did something that no one thought would ever happen again,” Vaught said. “We’re representing something for people that came way before us and people that are going to come after us.”
Vaught said the Oilers don’t have a problem staying focused.
“We’re always competing against each other and we always set new goals,” he said,
“Let’s see if we can get 80-0, let’s see if we can not lose a set this year. … We’re setting goals for ourselves to keep us focused.”
The Oilers pulled away late in the first two sets against the Friars (8-3) and took control of the third set early, forcing a timeout at 12-4.
Huntington Beach will compete this weekend in the Best of the West Invitational.
The goal this season remains simple.
“I want to out and be the best team we can be,” Vaught said. “If we go 40-0 (again), then I want to go 40-0. If we can not lose a set, then I don’t want to lose a set. … I know we have the camaraderie and skill to do all of that.”
Last year, the Oilers lost just six sets all season. They’ve yet to drop one this year.
