Pirates come out swinging, sweep away Olympians

COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College men's volleyball team found that "next level" on Wednesday night, playing their most inspired match of the season with a three-set sweep over previously-unbeaten San Diego Mesa, inside the Peterson Gym.

The Pirates came out flying and clicked on all cylinders in every facet of the game, showing the Olympians the same championship-level play they saw at the end of the last season, when the Pirates won their third straight state title against Mesa back on April 27 in the very same gymnasium.

Andrew Kargas was a hitting monster for the Pirates (8-1) ripping 15 kills to go along with two blocks. Kam Vakilian added nine kills, Noah Keelin knocked down six kills and Ashtonn Florentin notched five kills.

For the Olympians (8-1), 6-foot-9 outside hitter, Trevor Clark, led the way with 13 kills.

The atmosphere inside the Peterson Gym was buzzing with the state's top two ranked teams in the building and both teams played at a championship level in the opening set, with Mesa carrying an early 9-6 advantage.

But Coast used a 9-4 run to regain the lead at 15-13. Setter Jase Fukushima spread the offense all around and four kills from four different players (Kargas, Vakilian, Keelin and Surrette) highlighted that set-changing rally.

Mesa got back even at 18, only to see the Pirate hitters find the floor with kills, while the defense did not allow back-to-back Mesa points the rest of the way, giving Coast a 25-22 win.

From there, the Pirates tightened their game and the Olympians could not respond. Strong Kargas serves and three Kargas kills sparked a 16-7 start to the second set for the Pirates and from there, Mesa could not get back into the set. Once again, only a pair of multi-point runs by the Olympians -- two points and three points -- were allowed by the OCC defense and the lead was never threatened the rest of the way. A Vakilian kill on set point, put Coast up 2-0 in the match with a 25-16 victory.

It was back and forth early in the third set as the Pirates held a slim, 13-12 lead on Mesa before strong Vakilian serves sparked seven straight OCC points and the lead grew to 20-12. Mesa had no answer the rest of the way as the Pirates sprinted through the finish line with a Florentin solo block on match point. 

Coast finished the night hitting an impressive .412 for the night with only 11 hitting errors for the entire match. Defensively, Coast came up with 23 total digs and were led by Gabriel Armen-Nichter with six and Keelin with five.

The week doesn't get any easier for the Pirates, who travel down to Miramar College on Friday night to take on the 7-2 Jets, beginning at 6 p.m.