Orange Coast College

Women's Volleyball: Pirates step up, sweep away Mt. San Antonio

Friday, September 26, 2008

COSTA MESA -- After falling in the semifinals of the Santa Ana Tournament last weekend, the Orange Coast College women's volleyball team picked things up and returned the favor to visiting Mt. San Antonio, sweeping past the Mounties, 25-20, 25-19, 25-18 on Friday night.

With a solid balance of offense, mixed in with some difficult serving, the Pirates improved to 7-0 overall. Rachel Freeno and Jessica Bodkin each pounded out 11 kills, while Karlee Skalla added seven from the right side. Setter Emily Lyon dished out 34 assists and six aces.

In the opening game, OCC led 17-16 before a pair of Freeno kills, single winners from Bodkin and Skalla and a Christina Richards block helped push the Pirates' advantage to 22-17 and an eventual Game 1 win.

Mt. SAC (6-3) jumped to an early 8-7 advantage in Game 2, only to watch the Pirates respond off a timeout with a 10-2 run, taking the lead for good. A late Mounties' run cut the lead to 22-19, but the Pirates ended the game with three straight points for a two-game edge in the match.

Another close game saw the Pirates hold an 18-17 advantage before the hosts exploded with six straight points, three coming off of Lyon aces.

Kelsey Duling led the Mounties with nine kills.

OCC returns to action on Wednesday at home against San Diego City, beginning at 6 p.m.