Edison goes distance to beat Newport Harbor

HUNTINGTON BEACH - The second-ranked Edison girls volleyball team had been pushed to the brink of defeat following a marathon setback in the third game of a Sunset League match with Newport Harbor on Wednesday.

That victory had moved the sixth-ranked Sailors one step closer to a tie for second place.

However, the Chargers regrouped and rallied to defeat the Sailors, 26-24, 20-25, 33-35, 25-18, 15-12.

The victory keeps Edison (20-5, 5-1) one game behind top-ranked Los Alamitos in the race for the league title.

Edison senior outside hitter Cassie Strickland had 28 kills, four aces and 19 digs, coming up huge down the stretch in the fourth and fifth games.

"She scored a lot of points from the service line, she passed well, she hit well, especially when it counted most," Edison coach Trent Jackson said. "Yeah, she did a great job."

Strickland gave Edison an 11-10 lead with a soft shot kill in the fifth game. Later, with Edison leading, 12-11, Strickland connected on consecutive kills for a 14-11 lead.

On match point, Lauren Hoenecke squeezed a kill inside the Newport Harbor block to end the match.

This was the third victory this season for Edison against Newport Harbor. The Chargers defeated the Sailors in the semifinals of the Dave Mohs Orange County Championships and in four games in their first league match on Oct. 8.

Back on Oct. 8, the Sailors (14-6, 3-3) won the first game, only to have the Chargers win the next three to take the match.

"Newport (Harbor) played very well," Jackson said. "They made a lot of adjustments from the last time."

Tyler Davis added 18 kills. Nicole Vogel had 32 assists and Karyn Israel added 28.

The victory comes one match after Edison suffered a disappointing five-game loss to Los Alamitos last week.

"This was big," Strickland said. "Los Al, we had it in the fifth game, but we had 11 errors and we gave it away.

"Losing game three (to Newport Harbor), that close, showed that we could beat them. When we have close games, it just fuels us get after it. I feel happy we won."

Newport Harbor took a 2-1 lead in games with a 35-33 victory in the third game.

"The kids kept their heads on straight and fired back and won the next one," Jackson said. "We did a good job of continuing to play and not making a bunch of errors.

With the fourth game tied at 14-14, the Chargers took control, scoring four consecutive points, three of which came off of kills by Strickland.

At 23-18, Edison closed out the fourth game with two kills from Tyler Davis.

"This still gives us a shot the league title," Jackson said. "You can only really depend on yourself. We would love to be 8-1 going into Los Alamitos (on Nov. 1) and have a chance to beat them and win league."

Also in the Sunset League

No. 1 Los Alamitos 3, Marina 1: Alijah Gunsaulus had 17 kills and Jaylen Villanueva added 13 as the Griffins (27-2, 6-0) remained undefeated in league matches with their 25-10, 21-25, 25-19, 25-13 road victory.

Huntington Beach 3, Fountain Valley 0: Jordyn Sanchez had seven kills and three digs in the 25-7, 25-17, 25-17 home victory for the Oilers (15-8, 2-4).

In the Trinity League

Rosary 3, JSerra 0: The Royals (13-7, 2-4) exacted a bit of revenge on the Lions with their 25-20, 25-23, 25-19 home victory.

Kristie Hewko and Katie Klein had nine kills apiece.

In the first meeting between the two teams, Oct. 4, JSerra defeated Rosary in five games.

In the Freeway League

Sonora 3, La Habra 1: The Raiders (7-12, 2-4) rallied after losing the first game to a 24-26, 25-21, 25-22, 25-21 home victory over the Highlanders (12-13, 3-3).

Elena Mendrin had 15 kills and Katrina Marczeski had nine for Sonora. Beckah Wong had 32 assists and 11 digs.

Roxanne Sahagian led La Habra with 11 kills.

In the Orange Coast League

No. 7 Laguna Beach 3, Calvary Chapel 0: Alyse Wallace Ford led the Breakers (16-6, 7-0) with 22 kills in their 25-9, 25-15, 25-23 home victory.

Allison Palmer had 19 assists for Laguna Beach.