OCC’s Ensign named conference player of the year

Orange Coast College sophomore setter Michael Ensign tops three Pirates named first-team All-Pacific Coast Conference in men’s volleyball as conference Player of the Year.

Ensign, a 6-foot-5 product of Corona del Mar High, helped guide the Pirates (15-5) to the conference title and a berth in the state title match. He had 667 assists, 81 digs, 28 kills, 10 ace serves, nine solo blocks and 36 block assists.

Joining Ensign on the first team are fellow Pirates Chris Van Vuuren and Dillon Emery.

Van Vuuren, a 6-5 sophomore outside hitter, paired with Emery, a 6-4 freshman opposite, to form a potent one-two hitting punch.

Emery led the state with 281 kills and hit .373. His 30 aces shared the team lead with Van Vuuren and he added 59 digs, 21 block assists and seven solo blocks.

Van Vuuren had 188 kills and hit .247. He had 57 digs, 16 block assists and 12 solo blocks for Coach Travis Turner.

Emery and Van Vuuren were also on the seven-player all-tournament team at the state championship.

Representing OCC on the second team were freshmen middle blockers Austin Bagby and Sam Jergens.

Bagby, a Newport Harbor High product, hit .418 with 69 kills and 35 block assists.

Jergens hit .432 with 67 kills and had 44 block assists.

— From staff reports