Pirates split with Rustlers, Dons in season opener
HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The Orange Coast College beach volleyball team opened the 2016 season with a loss and a win on Friday, falling to host Golden West, 4-1, before topping Santa Ana College, 4-1.
In the opener against the Rustlers, OCC's lone win came from the duo of Danyelle Brown and Alyssa Assayag, who topped GWC's Marina Adolpho and Samantha Ureno, 21-10, 21-14.
Pirate veterans Susie Packard and Lauren Wilson pushed the GWC pair of Annie Ellis and Antoni Perry to a third set, but came up short, 10-21, 21-19, 15-12.
There was another three-setter for the Pirates in their matchup against the Dons, but the OCC pair of Diana Che and Megan Becker prevailed, 11-21, 21-14, 15-7.
OCC's Adelle Buede and Tiffany Boykin also were extended to a third set and much like their Pirate teammates, they found a way to prevail with a 21-11, 21-23, 15-4 win over SAC's Esther Arroyo and Hallie Slater.
It was a bit quicker for the Pirates at No. 5 as the pair of Measha Lindstrand and Aubrea Tuell rolled to a 22-20, 21-10 win.
The Pirates will host a pair of Orange Empire Conference foes -- Saddleback and Riverside on Friday, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Huntington Beach/Newland Volleyball Courts.
