Coast tops Griffins in battle for first place!

COSTA MESA -- In a matchup between two of the top teams in the state, the Orange Coast College men's volleyball team earned a spot alone atop the Pacific Coast Conference standings with a four-set win over visiting Grossmont College on Friday night inside the Peterson Gym.

Ty Hutchins had 17 kills, seven digs and three solo blocks to lead the Pirates past the Griffins, 23-25, 25-7, 25-15, 25-22, improving their record to 9-1 in the PCC (16-1 overall). Alex Tollgaard had 11 kills for the Griffins, who lost for the first time in eight matches and fall to 8-2 in conference (11-5 overall).

Hutchins, who missed OCC's last matchup with the Griffins (a five-set loss at GC back on March 12), was not alone in the Pirates' offense. Freshman opposite Jim Web chipped in 16 kills, while Brandon Dau added 10. Brendan Duff dished out 48 assists and Ryan Manoogian anchored the defense with nine digs.

Things looked good early on for the Coast with a 17-15 advantage in the opening set, but the Griffins used a pair of 3-1 mini-runs to grab a 21-19 lead.

Both teams traded points before a net return by the Griffins and a block by Dau and Nick Amado (team-high five blocks) evened things at 23.

Following a Grossmont timeout, OCC was its own worst enemy as a long serve and a net violation suddenly gave the Griffins the opening set and the momentum in this important match.

That momentum didn't last long, however, as the Pirates found some newfound energy and aggression and took it out on the Griffins in the second set.

Nine kills (four by Webb) along with four blocks helped highlight a 20-7 barrage by the Pirates and the hosts evened the match at a set apiece with three straight kills by Hutchins.

Grossmont regrouped from the OCC uppercut and jumped out to a 6-1 lead before Coast slowly chipped away at the Grossmont advantage.

Coast trailed 10-7 before a kill by Webb, a wide return a combo-block by Amado and Dau and a net violation put the Pirates in front, 11-10.

The Griffins tied the score at 11, but OCC went on a 14-4 run down the stretch to take a 2-1 lead in the match. Webb had four kills and Hutchins added two kills and a block during the run.

Both teams went back and forth in the fourth set. With Grossmont holding a 19-18 lead, Coast took advantage of three Griffin errors -- a net serve and two long returns -- to take a 21-19 lead. 

Back-to-back kills by Hutchins made it 23-20, giving the Pirates enough breathing room down the stretch to close things out.

Coast will return to action on Wednesday at home against Irvine Valley College, beginning at 6 p.m.