Pirates cruise past Dons in three-set sweep
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Santa Ana (6-9, 1-5) | 15 | 9 | 12 | 0 |
|
Orange Coast (13-2, 5-1) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College women's volleyball team took care of business at home and toppled visiting Santa Ana College in a three-set sweep on Friday inside the Peterson Gym.
Nika Safavi ripped 10 kills to go along with four digs, while Caprie Troccoli anchored the OCC middle with nine kills and a pair of blocks as the Pirates cruised to a 25-15, 25-9, 25-12 Orange Empire Conference win over the Dons. Jordan Packer dished out 30 assists, while four players -- Briana Bowman, Kelsey Gomarko, Caroline Vasquez and Sophia Wirtzer -- led the Pirate defense with five kills each.
Safavi has been a steady hitter for the Pirates in 2024, leading the team with 163 kills with Kennedy Cutler (83 kills) and Troccoli (83 kills) each bringing solid options to the OCC offense. Packer is among the tops in conference play with 405 assists, while the trio of Vasquez (107 digs), Packer (104 digs) and Cutler (101 digs) have anchored the Pirate defense all around the floor.
The win sets up a crucial conference showdown on Wednesday as the Pirates (13-2, 5-1 in the OEC) travel to Saddleback College to take on the first-place Bobcats (10-3, 6-0), beginning at 6 p.m. Coast and Riverside are currently one win behind the Bobcats, with Cypress close behind at 5-2 in conference play.
Saddleback earned the first-place spot in the standings on Friday after sweeping past Riverside, 25-22, 25-17, 25-14.
Top Bobcat players to keep an eye on for Wednesday's big match include outside hitters Cori Willcoxson (153 kills, 108 digs) and Delaney Wilson (111 kills, 23 total blocks), setter Sophie Vienna (445 assists) and libero Brynn Craig-Kromm (166 digs).
