Oilers’ Ciarelli getting closer to end of the line

There still is the possibility of playing a postseason match at home in the coming week, yet Friday’s boys’ volleyball Sea View League finale between host Huntington Beach and Foothill will be the last regular-season home match that longtime Oilers coach Rocky Ciarelli will coach.

Ciarelli, a Huntington native, is retiring at season’s end after coaching at his alma mater for 24 years, 14 of which he simultaneously coached both the boys’ and girls’ teams.

He said he hasn’t even thought about Friday’s match possibly being his final time at his home gym. No, not with crucial league matches this week against first-place Woodbridge Tuesday and Friday against Foothill, on the schedule.

Huntington and Foothill were tied for second place behind Woodbridge entering this week’s play.

Foothill earned a home-court sweep of the Oilers in the first meeting between the teams on April 10.

“It’s a big week for us,” Ciarelli said. “I really haven’t looked at Friday’s [match] being my final home [match]. I figure we’re going to CIF and have the possibility of playing at home. When we lose, that will be my final game.”

— Mike Sciacca