Safe to say, Oxnard High now becomes the odds-on favorite to win the Pacific View League boys' volleyball championship.

Taking the first leg of a rivalry that has produced the last six Pacific View League titles, Oxnard rode its balanced attack to a 25-18, 25-20, 26-24 sweep over host Camarillo on Tuesday night.

"They're definitely in charge for now," said Camarillo coach Rob Vandermay. "We'd like to have a say when we play again."

One or the other program has captured each league championship since 2001, when the two teams finished as co-titlists.

Camarillo won in 2002, 2003 and 2006. Oxnard prevailed in 2004 and 2005.

Sometimes, the league title portends even greater accomplishments.

Camarillo won the CIF-Southern Section Division III crown in 2003. Oxnard finished as the Division III runner-up in 2005.

Yellowjackets junior opposite Ryan Islas, who finished with a match-high 13 kills, said besting Camarillo is a big first step.

"We hope it's a steppingstone to doing well in the playoffs," he said. "We know we have to come in here and play with a lot of energy when we go against them. We need to lift up our level of play."

Krockett Reyes contributed nine kills, Jonathan Reed had eight kills and setter Chris Ferrer finished with 38 assists as Oxnard improved to 5-0 in league and 10-5 overall.

Camarillo, with Kurtis Gunther notching 10 kills, Chris Carlson getting eight kills and Trevor Taggesell collecting 20 assists, fell to 4-1 in league and 10-7 overall.

With all-league outside hitter Jake Haines sidelined until next week by academic ineligibility, Islas turned in a clutch performance Tuesday. He was questionable before the match with a sprained left ankle.

"Normally, we play him in the back row," said Oxnard coach Pat Islas. "He moved up front and played very well tonight."

Islas was part of a multi-faceted attack that enabled Oxnard to deliver the big points against their top rival.

Oxnard trailed 11-7 in Game 1 before launching a 12-4 run. In Game 2, the Yellowjackets trailed 12-6 and 15-12 before racking up an 11-2 streak.

In Game 3, Camarillo recovered from deficits of 9-3 and 23-20 before moving into a 24-24 tie.

Reed came up with a kill and Islas had a block to put Oxnard back in charge.

"We have confidence that we're going to play well in tight games," said Islas.

"Our guys gained a lot of experience last year, said Casey. "They've been here and done that, and that's helps them in close games."

Gunther, meanwhile, said Camarillo is looking for its own big ending.

"I think we're playing well right now," he said. "Oxnard has a lot of experience, and that helped them tonight. We're looking to get better and better and play our best at the end of the season."