COLLEGES:

Why isn’t Orange Coast College women’s volleyball coach Chuck Cutenese smiling?

One might think a 7-1 start by the Pirates, the two-time defending state champions, would be enough to ensure a bounce in Cutenese’s step.

But dig deeper and the veteran coach is dealing with a rash of injuries that have obscured the true picture of what this year’s team will be.

“We haven’t had a full squad at practice since school started,” said Cutenese, whose team opened Orange Empire Conference play with a sweep of Saddleback Friday, after winning the Santa Ana Tournament, completed Sept. 22.

Stephanie Thomas, a 6-foot-4 opposite who redshirted last season after transferring from UC Irvine, is in the fifth week of a projected six-week rehabilitation period prompted by a shoulder problem, Cutenese said.

Jenna Harp, a 5-10 sophomore outside hitter, has been playing with a sore shoulder that Cutenese fears will eventually need some rest, while Jessica Peschelt, a 6-2 freshman opposite out of Newport Harbor High, rolled her ankle at practice Monday and may be looking at some significant down time.

“Under the circumstances, I think our strong start has been a surprise,” Cutenese said. “We’ve been plagued from the beginning by injuries.”

Jacqi Reed, a 6-1 sophomore outside hitter, middle blockers Christina Richards, Jessica Roy and Rebecca Lowe, as well as freshman setter Emily Lyon have all been playing well, said Cutenese, who believes perennial contenders Golden West and Irvine Valley have been joined by Fullerton this year to make winning the conference crown even more difficult.

In addition to the aforementioned players, Cutenese said his staff of four assistant coaches will help the Pirates maximize whatever potential that is medically cleared to compete.

“Everyone has their own positions and players to work with, so we’re able to get some quality work done every practice,” Cutenese said.

While Cutenese tutors the setters, Adrian Delgado, in his 19th season, works with the opposites and liberos. Adam Cutrell and former OCC standout Dodi Drozd school the middle blockers, and former OCC men’s player Drew Ginther instructs the outside hitters.

Cutenese said Ginther and Drozd add a special element to the staff.

“It’s nice having players who played in my system,” Cutenese said. “And I think when former athletes coach, they are more connected to the athletes.

OCC meets Cypress Wednesday, before facing Golden West (Oct. 12) and Irvine Valley (Oct. 19) on consecutive Fridays.

 Orange Coast College football standout Benjamin Soza, a Newport Harbor High product, said he will redshirt after suffering a broken collarbone late in preseason drills.

Soza, a second-team All-Mission Conference National Division free safety in 2006, when he shared the team lead with four interceptions and was second on the team with 69 tackles, said he will return to play for the Pirates next fall.

 While the Major League Baseball postseason is heating up, former UC Irvine pitcher David Huff, who transferred to UCLA and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians after the 2006 campaign, will begin preparation for next season by competing in the Arizona Fall League, set to open Oct. 9.

Huff is listed on the roster of the Surprise Rafters, one of six AFL teams. The Rafters are managed by former Orange Coast College standout Damon Berryhill, who played 10 seasons in the big leagues with five teams.

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at [email protected]