OCC’s Winkler a special delivery

OCC Volleyball player Kiwi WinklerOrange Coast College freshman is key in Pirates’ undefeated season and quest for state title.Many coaches and former players keep in touch, writing e-mails, letters or making phone calls.

One of Orange Coast College women’s volleyball Coach Chuck Cutenese’s former players did something a bit nicer: He recruited a future Orange Empire Conference most valuable player in Kiwi Winkler.

The freshman outside hitter has led the Pirates all the way to the California Community College Commission on Athletics tournament in Fresno. Orange Coast, unbeaten in 22 matches, begins its quest for the state title with a 6 p.m. match today against Fresno City College.

Winkler is a key part of the Pirates’ amazing success this year.

She has made almost a third of the team’s 1,040 kills and is second on the team in service aces. She led the conference with 325 kills and was second in hitting percentage, landing 41.2% of total attacks.

Cutenese said colleges from across the country have offered her scholarships. But he said he believes she will probably stay on the West Coast to be close to her boyfriend Soren Schneider, a former OCC player who now plays at Hope International University in Fullerton.

Winkler’s accomplishments are even more amazing, because she is still learning indoor volleyball. Winkler had only played beach volleyball, handball and gymnastics in her native Germany.

“She is an all-around athlete, she is an aggressive player, and she has a keen eye. Those are skills that help in any sport,” Cutenese said.

Winkler was recruited to OCC by Schneider, who played men’s volleyball for the Pirates and Cutenese in 2001-02. The two met when Schneider was playing in Europe, and he convinced her to come to the United States and give indoor volleyball a try.

Schneider told his former coach about the 25-year-old German player, and wanted to know if there was room for her on the Pirates. Cutenese saw a tape of her playing and decided to give her a chance.

Cutenese said he was surprised how well she took to the game. He wasn’t exactly sure how her talent would transfer to the women’s indoor game.

“Honestly, she has exceeded my expectations,” Cutenese said.

Initially, Winkler wasn’t sure about California. All she knew about the area was what she had seen on television.

“All I know about California is it is supposed to be sunny all the time, there are a bunch of girls and bikinis and a bunch of surfer guys,” Winkler said.

If Winkler’s story sounds familiar to OCC volleyball fans, it should. Donka Drozd also came from Europe to play for the Pirates in her 20s, earning all-conference honors twice.

Drozd, now an assistant coach on Cutenese’s staff, has helped Winkler’s transition.

“We are very close, we had similar experiences -- playing with the younger girls, and being homesick about our home country,” Drozd said.

Like Cutenese, Drozd said she is also amazed with aspects of her game.

“She has such great ball control with her hitting,” Drozd said.

“Off the court, she is such a disciplined worker and so modest that she endears herself to her teammates.”

Cutenese said he believes her experience in a multitude of sports has benefited the freshman.

“She plays with such a competitiveness,” Cutenese said. “In practice, it brings out the best in everyone. I have never seen a player with such drive.”

The Orange Coast coaches have marveled at how she works in the weight room, in conditioning and always listening about how to improve the way she plays.