Orange Coast College

Women's volleyball tops Long Beach City in four

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College women's volleyball team is using the early portion of the season to evaluate, advise and tutor the younger, less experienced players as they inch closer to Orange Empire Conference play.
While the youngsters learn their lessons, sophomore Kiwi Winkler just keeps rolling along, extending the Pirates' winning streak to 29 matches in a row with a four-game win over visiting Long Beach City on Wednesday night.
Winkler had 20 kills, 10 digs and three service aces to lead the defending state champion Pirates to a 30-15, 18-30, 30-16, 30-22 nonconference win over the pesky Vikings at OCC's Peterson Gymnasium.
It was the first time since Nov. 17, 2004 that Orange Coast (3-0) lost a non-playoff game, but for this year's group, early-season challenges brings a stronger lesson to the youngsters.
"Long Beach is a very physical team and it was nice to see us rise to their challenge," OCC coach Chuck Cutenese said. "I really liked the way we played in the third and fourth game after we lost Game 2. I really feel like we grew as a team out there tonight."
Adding to the Pirates' offense was freshman outside hitter Jacqui Reed, who ripped 15 kills of her own.
Pacing the offense was freshman setter Chelsea Spadaro, who dished out 32 assists and added four aces with her jump-serve.
After breezing through the Game 1, the Pirates saw a more aggressive and confident Viking team in Game 2. Led by Michelle Zavala (16 kills) and Alo Taumanupepe (12 kills), the Vikings (2-1) pulled off what had last been done by Golden West back in 2004.
But Winkler made sure helped pull the momentum back on the side of the Pirates. After leading the way in Game 3, she nearly took over Game 4 on her own, posting eight of her 20 kills.
"It's nice to have someone the caliber of Kiwi on our team, that's for sure," Cutenese said. "It allows us to focus our attention on our younger players and by doing that, I really feel like we took some nice steps forward tonight."
The Pirates will return to action on Friday when they host Mt. San Antonio, beginning at 6 p.m.