Melissa WendtHuntington Beach, JuniorVolleyball / Outside hitterThe...

Melissa Wendt

Huntington Beach, Junior

Volleyball / Outside hitter

The last two seasons, the Oilers have lost in the semifinals of the Southern Section playoffs. This time Wendt, a first-team All-Division II pick, hopes to help make a change. So far, things are falling into place. Last week, she had 23 kills in a victory over Corona del Mar and 28 in a victory over Dana Hills and was named most valuable player of the Santa Barbara San Marcos tournament after leading the Oilers to the title. They beat Fountain Valley in the title game, 15-8. Today, Huntington Beach opens its Sunset League schedule against the Barons.

Cross-country

Elyse Homberger

* Edison, junior. Finished 12th in the Division II race at the Stanford Invitational, running 3.1 miles in 20 minutes 43 seconds to lead the Chargers to the team title.

Tennis

Natalie Exon

* Woodbridge, sophomore. Won eight of nine singles sets as the Warriors, then ranked fourth in the county, beat No. 3 Dana Hills, No. 9 Mater Dei and No. 8 Santa Margarita.

Amanda

Hastings-Phillips

* Laguna Beach, junior. Won six singles sets as the top-ranked Artists beat No. 2 Newport Harbor, 11-7, and Costa Mesa, 18-0.

Volleyball

Jennifer Coopman

* Sunny Hills, senior. Had 16 kills as the Lancers, then ranked eighth, defeated No. 5 Marina in five games.