GAMERS

With the Pirates’ gymnasium facelift finally completed, OCC will

host Santa Ana tonight at 7 p.m. in Orange Empire Conference action.

After a couple of “home” nonconference matches at Costa Mesa High

early in the season, the Pirates (10-5, 4-2 in conference) played the

entire first round of OEC play on the road.

The plus side of this, obviously, is that the Pirates will play the

entire second half of their OEC schedule in their own gym, which should

make the race toward a playoff spot interesting.

Leading the Pirates’ offensive attack has been the steady play of

sophomore Lauren Wilson. She has led OCC’s offense every match and has

268 kills this season (17.8 kills per match).

When the ball isn’t headed toward Wilson, chances are it’s headed

toward Natasha Evylnn and her 141 kills.

Sparking the offense are Pirates’ setters Jennie Holmes (301 assists)

and Tina Nguyen (288).

Elsewhere today:

The OCC men’s and women’s soccer teams take on Cypress in OEC action.

The men’s squad (11-3-4, 7-2-1) will host the Chargers at 3, while the

women’s team (12-6-1, 7-3) play at Cypress at 3.

In men’s water polo, OCC will participate at the Saddleback

Tournament, beginning at 8 a.m. against Cerritos. The Pirates will also

play at 2:40 p.m. against Grossmont.

The OCC women’s water polo squad, ranked No. 2 in the state, will

participate in the UCI-Loyola Tournament. The Pirates will take on the

Anteaters at 3, then play against Loyola Marymount at 4.

The OCC men’s and women’s cross country teams will compete in the OEC

championships at Craig Park in Fullerton. The women race at 9 a.m., while

the men kick off at 10 a.m.

In high school action, the Newport Harbor High girls volleyball team

heads up to Santa Barbara for the Tournament of Champions. The Sailors

open up with San Marcos at 3 p.m. at Santa Barbara High.

Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar will each take part in the Stanford

boys water polo tournament. The Sailors will go up against Live Oak at

11:15 a.m.

Newport Harbor’s cross country teams take on the rest of the Sea View

League pack at 3:15 at Woodbridge.

In other boys water polo action, Estancia will host Saddleback, while

Costa Mesa plays at Laguna Hills. Both contests begin at 3:15.

-- by Tony Altobelli