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.
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