Community college men’s volleyball: Pirates eye state final again

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - What does the Orange Coast College men’s volleyball

team do for an encore after its state runner-up finish last year? Well,

so far the Pirates are undefeated at 7-0, 3-0 in the Orange Empire

Conference, as all signs point to another state final appearance for

Coach Chuck Cutenese’s squad.

The Bucs, the defending OEC champions who finished 21-2 last year,

have also somewhat avenged their 2001 state final loss to Los Angeles

Pierce. OCC defeated L.A. Pierce in a one-game format, 30-26, in the Long

Beach Tournament, which gave the Pirates the tourney title, Feb. 2.

“My goals for this team has been to win the Long Beach Tournament, win

(the OEC title) and win (the state title),” Cutenese said. “In order for

for us to do that, the first responsibility for all of us is to work on

improving individually. Then the other three goals will fall into place.

Our goal every day is to get better individually. Our long term goals are

the three goals.”

After reaching their first goal, the Pirates are the favorite to win

the OEC, thanks in part to key returners Jeff Taylor, Soeren Schneider

and R.J. King.

Taylor, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter, is a consistent force for the

Pirates, while twin towers Schneider and King stand at 6-6 with Schneider

an outside hitter and King a middle blocker. Schneider earned Most

Valuable Player laurels at the Long Beach Tournament. John Campbell is

also a key returner who is in the middle, yet is capable of playing all

positions.

In addition, Cutenese collected three transfers from Irvine Valley

College, who have been contributing greatly this season. Sophomores Scott

Winant, the team’s starting setter, Greg Ford, the starting libero and

6-6 middle blocker Arash Yari caught on to OCC while watching the Pirates

play in the state final against L.A. Pierce. After the Bucs lost to

Pierce, April 28 2001, the trio introduced themselves to Cutenese and

inquired about transferring the very next day.

Another transfer, 6-6 Kyle Martin, from UC Irvine, has been

contributing, as well.

The Pirates feature a balanced attack because of a talented freshman

class which is led by Irvine High standout Zach Jardine, who has NCAA

Division I talent, Cutenese said. Jardine, the 6-8 head opposite, has

been the Pirates’ kill leader in three matches thus far.

OCC’s focus on individual improvement intensifies as the OEC season

continues and the postseason approaches. Last year, the Pirates suffered

a setback when their kill leader, B.J. Lightvoet, injured his hitting

hand. If such an injury occurs this year, Cutenese is expecting his

talented group of players to step up.

Rival Golden West will be much improved this year and should be a

formidable opponent for the Pirates, Cutenese said. Irvine Valley will

also contend for the OEC title.

OCC plays at Golden West, March 1, and host the Rustlers, April 17.

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

1 Kione Scott 5-9 Lib Fr.

2 Kyle Martin 6-6 U So.

3 John Campbell 6-4 U So.

4 R.J. King 6-6 MB So.

6 Greg Ford 6-1 Lib So.

8 Miguel Galeana 6-6 U Fr.

9 Paul Pomroy 6-4 Op Fr.

10 Jeff Taylor 6-3 OH So.

11 Soeren Schneider 6-6 OH So.

12 Scott Winant 6-3 S So.

13 Arash Yari 6-6 MB So.

14 Nick Yeager 6-2 OH Fr.

15 Zach Jardine 6-8 Opp Fr.

16 Jesse Klotz 6-1 OH Fr.

18 David Doxey 6-1 S Fr.

Coach: Chuck Cutenese