Nelson leads Huntington Beach into first place with win over Edison

From one class to the next, there are always moving parts in the high school sports landscape.

The girls’ volleyball teams of Edison and Huntington Beach highs were among those that had the most significant pieces to be replaced.

Edison graduated Hannah Phair (UCLA), Dani Dennison (TCU) and Cassidy Dennison (Cal Baptist). Huntington Beach did the same with Cami Sanchez (UCLA) and Ashley Stevens (University of Hawai’i, Manoa).

The mass exodus left plenty of work for last year’s co-Sunset League champions to get ready for this season.

Early league results revealed that ample talent remains in reserve at both schools, as each entered Tuesday’s meeting undefeated in Sunset League play.

Bailey Nelson had 19 kills, two aces, and 1½ blocks, as the Oilers stepped in front of the Chargers with a 25-18, 25-20, 23-25, 25-20 win at Huntington Beach High.

Despite roster turnover, Nelson, a Jacksonville State commit, was one of five seniors to earn the start for Huntington Beach (16-5, 3-0).

“I think we just had to realize that even though they’re gone, we’re still here,” Nelson said. “We can still make an impact, and we can be that strong.”

“We’re a year stronger, have a year more of training, and we can’t always depend on one player. I think we’re playing more as a team, both sides this year. We’re starting to include everybody, and I think that is what has helped the programs.”

In their four-year run, this group of Oilers have been strong starters. Since 2014, Huntington Beach has beaten Edison (9-9, 2-1) and Los Alamitos (14-7, 1-1) in the first half of league.

“It’s just always good to have a solid start. That’s always our goal so that if we have mess-ups, we can have those down the road. It’s harder to fight for it at the end, rather than to have room (for error) at the end.

“This is really nice for us as a team to have these leads. It gives us more confidence in season.”

Maggie Baker had 15 kills for the Oilers. Jillian Kim added 13 kills, and Mahina Williamson chipped in with six kills and two blocks. Cristina Baily had 43 assists.

Even the underclassmen in the Oilers’ lineup knew that they were going to have solidified roles. Huntington Beach coach Craig Pazanti spoke about Xolani Hodel coming on strong as a middle blocker at the end of last year, and he called Mia Christensen the team’s heir apparent at libero.

Christensen turned in 14 digs. Hodel had six kills and 3½ blocks.

“We kind of knew that those kids were going to step in and do a good job,” Pazanti said. “It’s an important match. Us and Edison have been at the top of the league for the last few years.”

As hot as his team was coming into the key matchup, Pazanti had his concerns. The Oilers reached the final of the La Jolla Tournament, playing six matches over the weekend. This was on the heels of a big win over Los Alamitos Thursday.

“The Catch 22 is is it good for us to play that much and learn, or where is the fine line of we’re going to be tired when we get back?” Pazanti explained.

“We did the same thing last year. We had Los Al on Thursday. We played the tournament Friday and Saturday, and we played Edison. We’ve done the same thing two years in a row, and two years in a row, we’ve been successful.”

Lindsey Sparks led Edison with 13 kills on 0.361 hitting. Katelyn Sasaki smashed 10 kills, while Taylor Gray and Nikki Logan each had nine.

“She’s a sophomore, and she definitely stepped up,” Chargers coach Matt Skolnik said of Logan. “When we needed a lift off the bench, she definitely stepped up and made some really good plays. She had some big swings for us and a big block in the fourth game.”

Edison will host Los Alamitos on Oct. 4, a match that could decide whether the Chargers will have a chance to strike back and draw even with the Oilers in the second half of league.

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