OCC still undefeated

After the Orange Coast College women’s volleyball team earned its

13th straight victory in as many matches this season, Pirates Coach

Chuck Cutenese delivered a challenge to his players.

OCC (13-0, 7-0 in the Orange Empire Conference) outlasted host

Saddleback, 30-25, 30-19, 25-30, 29-31, 15-8, that ended the first

round of conference play. Then, Cutenese revealed the truth to his

players Wednesday night.

“What I told my team after the match was that we have put

ourselves out there now as the team to beat,” Cutenese said. “We had

a great preseason and a great first round of conference. Now, we’re

the team that everyone is gunning for. We have to work harder and

start living up to it right now.”

The Pirates won the first two games, rather handily, then Cutenese

saw an opportunity to experiment.

Freshman setter Elisha Counts and freshman outside hitter Melissa

Zapiain returned for the final game and it was lights out.

Counts amassed 33 assists, while Zapiain led the Pirates with 27

kills, including five in the final game. Cutenese was also impressed

with the play of freshman Jessica Lippi, who contributed 17 assists,

nine kills and three service aces. Outside hitters sophomore Casey

Peterson and freshman Kelly Overby added 10 kills each, and sophomore

Krystle Davis, and freshmen Jessica Lingo and Christine Ryan combined

for 18 kills.

Saddleback dropped to 4-9, 2-5.

The Pirates will return to conference action Friday at 7 p.m. when

they play at Santa Ana.