OCC foe includes ex-Pirates

Orange Coast can check up on some of its former standouts when it visits Hope International for Wednesday night clash.It’ll be kind of like homecoming, in reverse.

When the Orange Coast College men’s volleyball team travels to Hope International University in Fullerton for a 7 p.m. nonconference match Wednesday, familiarity should abound.

Hope International libero Matt Skolnik played two seasons for the Pirates, earning second-team All-Orange Empire Conference honors in 2004. Outside hitter Soeren Schneider was a first-team all-conference performer in 2002, leading OCC to the state title match that year.

Chuck Cutenese coached both of them, so he should have some idea of how to game plan for the Royals. If nothing else, he can call on Kiwi Winkler -- Schneider’s girlfriend and a first-team All-American for OCC’s state champion women’s volleyball team -- for a scouting report.

* High school boys’ basketball, Ocean View at Costa Mesa, tonight at 7: The Mustangs are already in the driver’s seat for a CIF Southern Section playoff spot, but a Golden West League title is well within their grasp too. Costa Mesa won the first meeting at Ocean View, and a win here would lock up the league championship.

* High school girls’ water polo, Sage Hill at Costa Mesa, 3:15 p.m. today: Sage Hill already has a win against Estancia this season. A victory here against the Mustangs -- ranked No. 10 in CIF Division VI -- would do wonders for the Lightning’s playoff hopes as a freelance team.

Costa Mesa, on the other hand, would like to win this and get ready for the playoffs.

* College women’s basketball, Point Loma Nazarene at Vanguard, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday: Uneasy is the head that wears the crown, or so it has seemed for the Vanguard women of late.

The Lions are still undefeated and ranked No. 1 in NAIA Division I, but the wins have been much closer recently. They open a tough week with a home game against Point Loma, the No. 18 team in the nation, before traveling to The Master’s on Saturday.

* High school girls’ soccer, Corona del Mar at Northwood, 3:15 p.m. Wednesday: It’s a magical 8-2 run for the Sea Kings through the Pacific Coast League, after going 1-7-1 in the nonleague portion of their schedule. A win against a Northwood team they upset in the first round of league play would clinch second place.

* High school boys’ basketball, Laguna Hills at Newport Harbor, 7 p.m. Wednesday: It’s a rare one-game week for the Sailors as they close out Sea View League play, but the one game is a big one.

A win would guarantee Coach Larry Hirst’s team a share of second place in league.

Foothill, the team tied with the Sailors for second, plays host to league champion Woodbridge the same night.

* High school girls’ water polo, Corona del Mar at El Toro, 3:15 p.m. Friday: In the still-growing world of girls’ water polo, it’s a bit rare for two well-regarded teams not to face each other all season. And yet, here it is the final week of the season and the Sea Kings are seeing the Chargers, ranked No. 7 in Division I, for the first time.

After this match comes the regular-season finale, Saturday at home against Montebello.

* High school boys’ basketball, Santa Ana at Estancia, 7 p.m. Friday: The Eagles have been up and down for much of the season, but this is the week when they can create some serious momentum. With three games against teams below them in the Golden West League standings -- concluding with this regular-season finale -- the Eagles can finish the regular season on a major high and possibly roll into the playoffs.