Huntington Beach stuns another top team

Unseeded Huntington Beach continues to knock off the top dogs in the Division I-A playoffs.

Three days after they defeated No. 3 Marymount in the quarterfinals, the Oilers stunned No. 2 Santa Barbara, 25-21, 15-25, 25-21, 25-19, on Tuesday night at Huntington Beach High.

Under first-year coach Craig Pazanti, Huntington Beach (18-11) is making its first trip to a division final since 1996, which was also the last year the Oilers won the title. The Oilers will face No. 1 Dos Pueblos in the final.

"I just want Huntington Beach to be at the top, where they should be," Pazanti said. "It's a tribute to (the girls) believing in each other. As a coach, that is all you can hope for."

Outside hitter Kellie Turner led the Oilers (18-11) with 20 kills and 6-foot-6 senior hitter Haleigh Hampton added 13 kills and eight blocks.

Savannah Clark had 25 digs, and sophomore setter Taylor Packer contributed 46 assists and 10 digs.

"I liked our matchups, Pazanti said. " We had a game plan and in games 1, 3 and 4, we executed it."

The Dons finished with a 20-9 record.

In Division I-A semifinal play:

No. 1 Dos Pueblos 3, Laguna Beach 0: The Breakers hung tough against the top seeds for two games before being swept, 25-23, 25-23, 25-13, at home.

Laguna Beach, which ends the season 17-10, was making its second consecutive CIF semifinals appearance.