Pirates in hurry to get to state

Orange Coast makes quick work of Victor Valley to advance to Fresno for first time since the 2001 season.COSTA MESA -- One of the goals the Orange Coast College women’s volleyball team had this season was to make it to the California Community College Commission on Athletics Championships.

Once the Pirates were in the match they needed to win to get there, they operated efficiently and effectively.

Top-seeded Orange Coast made quick work of No. 9-seed Victor Valley, taking 75 minutes to defeat the Rams, 30-13, 30-16, 30-16, Saturday night at Orange Coast College in the second round of the Southern California Regional playoffs. The victory propels the Pirates to the eight-team state tournament for the first time since 2001.

The Pirates have won three state titles -- the last one in 1982.

“That’s our next goal,” Orange Coast Coach Chuck Cutenese said. “We talked about winning our conference -- we did that. We talked about making it to state -- we’ve done that. And we talked about winning state.”

The Pirates’ sweep extended their game-winning streak to 66 this season. Orange Coast is 22-0.

Setter Caitlin Parker (game-high 31 assists) was on her game, making good decisions with the ball and spreading it around. Orange Empire Conference MVP Kiwi Winkler had 16 kills and six service aces -- both game highs.

Outside hitter Brittany Ray tallied 10 kills and a team-high 16 digs, middle blocker Samantha Connor had seven kills and two blocks, and Joanna Johnson added six kills and three blocks.

“When you’re as offensively balanced as we are, it’s tough to defend,” Cutenese said.

After Ray’s kill off Parker’s set gave Orange Coast a 14-4 lead in the first game, Victor Valley Coach Christa White called a timeout and tried to restore order.

But the flustered Rams (19-2) were outclassed and the Pirates continued to romp. A kill by Aabria Lipscomb off Nicole Klawitter’s back set and a kill by Connor led to Ray’s game-winning ace on a blistering jump serve.

An ace by Christina Witt gave Orange Coast a 21-8 lead in game two, which Ray iced with a kill off a pass from Parker.

Winkler’s four aces and five kills propelled the Pirates in the third game. The crowd -- which included students attempting the pirate look -- chanted “MVP” whenever Winkler served.

The Pirates were much more dominant than they were in the first round against Mount San Antonio on Wednesday after a two-week layoff.

“I felt when we ended conference, we were playing really well, we were smooth,” Cutenese said. “After two weeks off, against Mount SAC, we didn’t look as fine-tuned. But we got back to that tonight.”

The Pirates are one of four teams from Southern California going to the state tournament this weekend at Selland Arena in Fresno.

“It feels amazing,” Ray said. “We’ve worked so hard, we deserve it. I feel like we’re ready to go to state -- full throttle.”

Orange Coast hasn’t won the state title in 23 years. But the Pirates are ranked No. 1 in the state and haven’t dropped so much as a game, much less a whole match.

“I don’t want to put so much pressure on us,” Winkler said. “But we are No. 1, so I hope so.”

San Joaquin Delta is the No. 1 team out of the north. Cutenese said he expects Irvine Valley, El Camino and Los Angeles Pierce to join them in Fresno out of the south.

“My prediction is that the south is stronger than the north, and I think we’ll see that next week,” Cutenese said.200512045V1LKJRKNo Caption20051204iqykhfknMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)OCC’s Joanna Johnson (8) hits by the block of Victor Valley’s Nicole Philistine, during Saturday night’s second round match in the Southern California Regional playoffs.