Edison Rallies for a Volleyball Win

The Edison High School boys’ volleyball team, behind the play of outside hitter Chris Carpenter, rallied to defeat Santa Monica, 15-8, 11-15, 13-15, 15-12, 15-10, Thursday night in the first round of the Southern Section 4-A playoffs in the Chargers’ gym at Huntington Beach.

Carpenter had 27 kills to help Edison (15-2) advance to Saturday’s second round. The Chargers also got help from senior center David Wetzel (88 assists), junior outside hitter Richard Smith (16 kills) and junior middle blocker Denny Hanan (8 blocks and 12 kills).

Santa Monica was paced by senior outside hitter Sam Blood.

In other 4-A volleyball action:

Mira Costa 3, Fountain Valley 1--Brad Johnson served for 14 points and had 5 aces to lead the Mustangs past the Barons, 15-13, 15-11, 7-15, 15-7, at Mira Costa. Mike Doll added 15 kills, while middle blocker Cass Cowell had 12 kills and 9 blocks for the Mustangs, who will meet North Torrance in the second round.

El Toro 3, La Quinta 0--The Chargers had little difficulty eliminating the Aztecs, 15-8, 15-11, 15-8, at El Toro and will face top-seeded Corona del Mar in Saturday’s second round. Todd Bates had 16 kills and Charlie Harkens had 12 kills for La Quinta in a losing effort. The Aztecs finish the season at 10-5.

Corona del Mar 3, Harvard 0--The top-seeded Sea Kings easily beat the Saracens at Corona del Mar, 15-2, 15-9, 15-3, to improve their record to 12-2 and advance to the second round.

North Torrance 3, Laguna Beach 2--The Saxons needed five games to eliminate the Artists, a wild-card entrant into the playoffs, 15-13, 10-15, 16-14, 8-15, 15-10, at North Torrance High. The Saxons will play Mira Costa in the second round.

Dana Hills 3, Estancia 2--The Dolphins, champions of the South Coast League, defeated the Eagles, 15-2, 15-5, 11-15, 14-16, 15-8, at Dana Hills High to advance.

Woodbridge 3, Inglewood 2--The Warriors came back from a 2-1 deficit in games to defeat the Sentinels, 15-11, 10-15, 15-17, 15-9, 15-13, at Inglewood High. Woodbridge will play Edison in Saturday’s second round.