OCC women’s volleyball: OCC puts up a good fight

Steve Virgen

HUNTINGTON BEACH - Even though the Orange Coast College women’s

volleyball team was the 75th consecutive victim for top-ranked Golden

West, the visiting Pirates showed some fire in the final game of a 15-5,

15-8, 15-9 Orange Empire Conference loss Wednesday night.

OCC (9-5, 3-2 in the OEC) didn’t lose the match without a fight. In

the last game, the Pirates took a quick lead by scoring three straight

points with Lori Smith serving.

But, Roxanne Orsini of Golden West (10-0, 5-0)) served eight straight

points to give the Rustlers a comfortable lead.

OCC rallied back to get within four, 9-4, until the Rustlers finished

off the Pirates.

“I wanted to walk away from this game with a fight,” OCC Coach Chuck

Cutenese said. “We did that. I was pleased. I don’t know if they’ll be a

different team when we play them again. But, I know we’ll definitely be a

different team.”

OCC’s Lauren Wilson led the Pirates with 11 kills and 11 digs, while

Natasha Evylnn earned eight kills and 11 digs.

The final game featured two thrilling rallies which Golden West won.

Both rallies were followed by applause with some in the crowd standing to

their feet.

Spike after spike, dig after dig, the Pirates didn’t give up the final

game easily.

“I thought (the match) was so much fun even though we lost,” Wilson

said. “I’m so glad we fought at the end.”

Though the Pirates never really threatened during the match, Golden

West Coach Albert Gasparian said OCC played the Rustlers just as tough as

Irvine Valley College.

“(OCC) did a real good job of playing defense in game three,”

Gasparian said. “They were really fired up. OCC is getting better. Who

knows what will happen when it’s in their house.”

The match was played at Golden West when it was originally scheduled

to be played at Peterson Gym, which is under construction. The Pirates

play the first round of OEC on the road and will try take advantage of

the second round with seven consecutive home games.

The Rustlers are No. 1 in the state and seven-time state champions.

OCC came into the match boasting a jump in the polls. Two weeks ago, the

Pirates were ranked No. 22 in the state according to the California

Community Colleges Volleyball Poll. OCC is now No. 13.