OCC faces Lasers in critical contest

The Orange Coast College women’s volleyball team, the two-time defending state champion, will try to remain in contention for the Orange Empire Conference crown tonight at 6 at Irvine Valley.

Coach Chuck Cutenese’s Pirates (11-2, 5-1 in conference) could join Irvine Valley (13-0, 6-0) and Golden West (12-2, 5-1) atop the conference standings with a victory. A loss would drop OCC into a probable third-place tie with Fullerton (11-3, 4-2).

The Pirates were ranked No. 1 in the most recent state coaches poll (Oct. 2), but were swept by visiting Golden West Friday night.

Irvine Valley, ranked No. 8, coached by former Estancia High boys and girls coach and Newport Harbor High assistant Tom Pestolesi, has earned 10 victories by sweep.

The Lasers were taken to five games by No. 5-ranked Golden West and No. 2-ranked Fullerton.

OCC is paced by 6-foot-1 sophomore outside hitter Jacqi Reed, who produced 18 kills and 14 digs in a sweep at Riverside Wednesday.

Freshman setter Emily Lyon and freshman libero Kayla Cutler are also standouts for the Pirates.

IVC is led by 5-10 sophomore outside hitter Chelsea Pavlik, a Mater Dei High product who transferred from Regis University in Colorado, where she was the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year in 2006.

Pavlik is averaging 20.3 kills in six conference matches and is also the Lasers’ consistent leader in digs.

— Barry Faulkner