Bryce AldertonSweeps are becoming commonplace for the...

Bryce Alderton

Sweeps are becoming commonplace for the Orange Coast College women’s

volleyball team this fall.

The Pirates tallied their 12th three-game victory in 14 matches

this season with a 30-22, 30-22, 35-33 triumph over visiting Orange

Empire Conference foe Irvine Valley Friday night. Orange Coast

defeated IVC (11-3, 6-3 in the OEC) in four games in the teams’ prior

meeting this season and it looked like Friday’s match would go a

similar length.

But OCC (13-1, 8-1), ranked second in the state, fought back from

a 29-27 deficit in Game 3 with three kills from sophomore Christine

Woller aiding the march to Coast’s fourth straight win.

“I think it was a letdown by us and they picked it up,” said

Woller, who finished with a match-high 19 kills and hit at a .400

clip. “Then we got geared up. Each point was excitement.”

IVC sophomore setter Katie King, a teammate of Woller’s when the

two played at Newport Harbor High, served eight consecutive points to

give the Lasers a 26-23 lead in the third game. OCC freshman outside

hitter Donka Drozd quickly answered with two of her 14 kills to tie

the game at 27 and IVC, ranked as high as fourth in the state this

season, had three game points after that. The Lasers led, 31-30, but

a two-hand pass that fell wide gave the serve back to Coast. Freshman

middle blocker Brenda Bailey (seven kills) sent down a block that

gave Coast match point and Woller slammed a ball the Lasers returned

into the net to seal the match.

Coast’s first deficit of the match came at 1-0 in the third game

and was never really threatened in the first two games.

Sophomore Marti Merriott slammed eight kills while Bailey added

three.

Sophomore setter Amber McCarthy tallied 36 assists and 20 digs,

several of the diving variety as Coast also kept possession with 12

digs from freshman Jennifer Rucker and 11 from sophomore Melissa

Sherman.

“We scrambled well on defense, didn’t miss many serves and

everyone got involved, this was one of our best matches this season,”

OCC Coach Chuck Cutenese said. “Marti had one of her better

performances of the year and that was key. We are riding Christine

more now.”

Unlike the teams’ previous meeting, Cutenese sensed less anxiety

Friday.

Woller attributed the relaxed feel to knowing what to expect from

the Lasers.

“We practiced what they run [Thursday], so we were prepared,”

Woller said. “A lot of it was mental. We took care of the ball.”

Tom Pestolesi, who coached at Estancia and Newport Harbor before

beginning his stint as IVC’s coach five years ago, said Friday’s

match would come down to ball control.

Woller’s familiarity with King’s game -- the two played three

seasons together at Newport-- also proved beneficial for the Pirates

Friday. King led IVC with 22 assists.

“I know what she is going to do,” Woller said. “If I think she

will dump, she dumps. Other players might not be able to see that.”

Coast began last season 15-1 and finished 21-5, falling to 10-time

defending state champion Golden West and San Joaquin Delta in the

state tournament.

“This was a big step for us,” Woller said.