Orange Coast College

Pirates eliminate Bakersfield in playoff opener

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

COSTA MESA - The Peterson Gymnasium turned into a "block party" for the Orange Coast College Pirates as they overcame a Game 3 lapse to top Bakersfield 30-16, 30-25, 25-30, 30-16 in the first round of the Southern California Playoffs on Tuesday.

Kiwi Winkler led the second-seeded Pirates (20-2) with 20 kills and 17 digs, but it was the relentless pressure up front that enabled the hosts to end the Renegades' season.
In Game 4 alone, nine Pirate blocks were recorded, six by Joanna Johnson and five in an 8-0 run early in the game that sealed the fate for Bakersfield (9-8).
"We've been working hard on our defense and it seemed to come together in that fourth game for us," OCC head coach Chuck Cutenese said. "Overall, I was pleased with how we played tonight. We had a bit of a letdown in the third game, but I like the way we responded after that."
Jacqi Reed added 17 kills and 10 digs for OCC, while Chelsea Spadaro amassed 45 assists.
OCC came out strong in the first two games and applied pressure on the Renegades. Both teams hit the ball well, but as the games wore on, Bakersfield mistakes caused by OCC's aggressive play forced the Renegades into a 0-2 hole.
To the guests' credit, the Renegades overcame a four-hour drive from Kern County and they managed to extend their stay with a strong Game 3 effort. Kara McKeehan led all hitters with 24 kills, while Emily Ermigarat and McKeehan anchored the defense with 13 digs apiece. Ashley Mills paced the offense with 40 assists.
But the hope of further drama ended quickly in Game 4 as OCC jumped out to a 19-8 lead and never looked back.
With the win, the Pirates will face a very familiar foe in the second round as Golden West comes to the Peterson Gym on Saturday, beginning at 7 p.m. The Rustlers swept Cerritos 31-29, 30-25, 30-21 on Tuesday.
It will be the first playoff meeting between the two schools since the 2001 state championship, won by the Rustlers.