Pirates face Irvine Valley in rematch of state final

The Pacific Coast Conference men’s volleyball season has barely begun, but already there’s a ring of finality to the schedule for Orange Coast College.

The Pirates (5-2, 1-0 in conference) play host to Irvine Valley (4-3, 1-0) tonight at 6 in a conference clash that is a rematch of last year’s state final.

The Lasers, coached by former Estancia High head man Tom Pestolesi, who also worked as an assistant at Newport Harbor, trounced OCC, 30-24, 30-23, 30-20, to claim the 2008 state crown.

OCC is led by 6-foot-2 sophomore outside hitter Jake Melone and 6-6 sophomore middle blocker Mike Stewart.

— Barry Faulkner