Orange Coast College

Women's Volleyball: Pirates swept out of the playoffs by Canyons

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

COSTA MESA -- The College of the Canyons have ended the state championship run of the Orange Coast College women’s volleyball team as the visiting Cougars swept past the Pirates, 30-21, 31-29, 30-23 in the first round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs on Tuesday at OCC’s Peterson Gym.

Sophomore standout Pricilla Bremer led the ninth-seeded Cougars (15-6) with 20 kills, while libero Bridgette Redmond anchored the defense with 25 kills. Setter Heather Sanders notched 44 assists, while the entire Cougars team combined for 11 aces against the two-time defending state champs.

Eighth-seeded OCC (15-7) was led by sophomore Jacqi Reed (13 kills, 10 digs, two solo blocks), libero Kayla Cutler (nine digs) and setter Emily Lyon (26 assists).

After both teams traded blows early in Game 1, Canyons found its groove and went on a 13-3 run to lead 24-14 and never look back in the opener.

OCC trailed 18-13 in Game 2 before going on its best run of the night – a 12-2 outburst – to take a 25-20 advantage. COC scored five of the next six points to pull within a point, but the Pirates maintained their lead and had two game points on the Cougars.

However Canyons responded with a kill and block by Sanders to erase OCC’s two game points and an ace by Jessica Frost gave the Cougars a game point of their own. OCC responded with a errant return and COC took a two-game lead in the match, stunning the hosts.

Game 3 was over early as the Cougars jumped out to a 9-3 lead and maintained their lead the rest of the way. OCC would get to within five on three separate occasions, but would not get any closer as Canyons moves on to play top-seeded Irvine Valley, which swept past No. 16 Palomar, 30-19, 30-21, 30-25. COC and IVC will play on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Irvine.