Pirates wrap up stellar 2022 season with another OEC title

COSTA MESA -- The winning tradition continued for the Orange Coast College women's tennis team in 2022, overcoming the lingering effects of the COVID pandemic as well as some stiff competition to grab a share of the Orange Empire Conference title.

It was the sixth year in a row that the Pirates (15-3) earned all or a share of the Orange Empire Conference title, winning in 2016, 2017 (state champions), 2018, 2019 (state champions), 2021 and again this season. The season was shut down in 2020 due to COVID.

"I'm very proud of these girls," OCC head coach Chris Ketcham said. "They had a great season, especially dealing with the challenges of COVID early in the season and numerous injuries towards the end of the season. The conference title was achieved with a total team effort, with every girl contributing to the team's success."

Playing with a limited roster size, the Pirates DID need everyone to contribute this year and contribute they did. Leading the way at No. 1 singles was Logan Koitka, who finished 17-3 overall and 7-1 in conference, earning OEC singles Co-MVP honors. At No. 2, Madeleine Veltri gave Coast some power atop the order by going 18-2 overall, 7-1 in conference. Further adding to the depth was OCC's No. 3 star, Jade Moreno who lost only one match in 20 contests this year (19-1) and going a perfect 8-0 in the OEC. Combined those three standouts went 54-6 (22-2) in singles play for the Pirates in 2022.

On the doubles side, it was more of the same with Koitka and Veltri going 16-4 (7-1) against the other schools' best doubles teams, with Moreno and either Ruth Salter or Tiffany Tu going 19-2 (8-0) at No. 2 doubles this year. Koitka and Veltri's strong play earned them OEC doubles co-MVP honors this year.

The season came to a premature end for the Pirates as late-season injuries slowed the team down in the opening round of the Southern California Regional playoffs, won by L.A. Mission, 5-3. But the fine work of the other Pirate players, including Allison Dobrea and Diana Vu helped give the Pirates another fine season to remember and the sky is the limit for what the 2023 season can be for this talented team.