Pirates zip through Rustlers in three

COSTA MESA -- In the second of back-to-back matchups between rivals Orange Coast College and Golden West College, the sequel didn't take long for the plot to develop as the Pirate men's volleyball team rolled over the Rustlers in three quick sets on Wednesday night inside the Peterson Gym.

After sweeping past the Rustlers in three close sets on Friday at GWC, the rematch at OCC again went the way of the Pirates, 25-22, 25-11, 25-17, to keep the Pirates unbeaten in Orange Empire Conference play.

Kyle McCauley had 12 kills to lead Coast (12-2, 2-0), while a quartet of Pirates -- Will Donald, Wyatt Henson, Zane Moothart and Bradley Hankus -- each added six kills.

For the Rustlers (5-6, 0-2), Enzo Boggio, Luke Davis and Constan Tolentino each had five kills.

It was the visitors who felt at home early on in the opening set as Golden West jumped out to a four-point lead and kept it throughout most of the opener. Finally, with GWC up, 20-16, the Pirates regrouped as back-to-back kills by Hankus and Moothart and a wide return pulled the Pirates to within a point at 20-19. 

A net serve by the Pirates made it 21-19, but a pair of Henson kills sparked a 4-0 run, putting Coast on top, 23-21. 

After a long return by the Pirates, back-to-back kills by Henson and McCauley ended the opening set, 25-22.

That would be it for drama for most of the night as Coast jumped out to a 16-10 lead in Game 2 and wrapped up the set with a 9-1 run to jump out to a two-set lead in the match. The first seven recorded kills of the second set were hit by seven different OCC players, showing the depth and talent of the defending state champions.

Coast trailed early in the third set, 7-5, but used a 15-4 run to pull away from the Rustlers in the third set. Finally, at match point, a strong serve by Ivan Garcia-Burgos helped seal the deal as the Pirates wrapped up the match with a 25-17 win.

Coast will return to action on Wednesday at Fullerton College, beginning at 6 p.m. OCC's next home match will take place on Friday, March 23 against Irvine Valley, also at 6 p.m.