Coasters: Getting over the hump, big-time

Steve Virgen

They’re called statement games, and they provide momentum, mystique

and bragging rights. When the Orange Coast College women’s volleyball

team defeated visiting Golden West Friday night, the Pirates made a huge

statement to the Orange Empire Conference and any other community college

in California.

OCC is No. 1.

The Pirates’ statement also ended the Rustlers’ dominance in the OEC.

Golden West, which entered ranked No. 1 in the state, had not lost a

conference match since 1997. Coach Chuck Cutenese never had a team that

defeated the Rustlers in his 10 years at the head post. But with

confidence overflowing and an undefeated record (12-0, 6-0 in the OEC),

the Pirates aggressively took out the Rustlers in four games, 30-26,

20-21, 20-30, 30-23 in OCC’s gym.

“It was a great win because they were the crosstown rivals,” Cutenese

said. “That’s the school we go up against in recruiting from our area.

For me (the victory) hits a lot of goals of mine as a coach.”

“The nice thing was that the team really didn’t know about Golden

West,” Cutenese continued. “Sometimes when you play a team you play their

reputation. (The Pirates) weren’t aware of Golden West’s reputation. That

makes it easier as a coach. You’re able to focus what the team needs to

do. In the past, we’ve had teams that might have beaten Golden West, but

because of the reputation and all the hype we didn’t play well.”

Cutenese took pride in the victory over Golden West, yet admitted the

Rustlers are not as talented as in years past. He said Coach Albert

Gasparian has had more dominant teams.

Regardless, the win will move OCC up in the state rankings. The

Pirates entered Friday night’s match at No. 7 and after taking out No. 5

Cypress earlier in the week, then No. 1 Golden West, it’s only a matter

of time before OCC is the top team in the state.

“I told the team after the match, that when you beat a team that’s

ranked No. 1, now you’ve made everyone gun for you,” Cutense said. “Now

we’re looked at as the No. 1 team. Now, people will come after us. With

the new rally scoring and because the conference is tough that means that

we have to work harder.”

The Pirates should be ready. They were confident entering the match

and Cutenese said everyone contributed.

Sophomore Katja Muller slammed 23 kills in the match, while Amber

McCarthy set 58 assists. Casey Petersen, a Costa Mesa High product,

stepped up with a team-high 20 digs.

“That was a really big win for us,” said freshman Krystle Davis, who

notched a match-high 25 kills. “We accomplished what no one has been able

to do. It was just a great feeling.”

After winning the first two games, the Pirates tried to go in for the

kill. But, the Rustlers were not going to go away easily. Most of the

players said the Game 3 loss woke up OCC and gave the Pirates motivation.

“We were very confident that we could do this,” Davis said. “We set

goals before every game and we were very confident that we’re going to

win. The whole match was so exciting.”

Said Audra Grim, who chipped in with two service aces: “Before we even

walked into the gym, we believed we could win. This just proves that

we’re a good team. We can be up there with the top teams and win state.”

During halftime of the OCC-Fullerton football game at LeBard Stadium

(Nov. 10 at 1 p.m.), the Pirates will honor the 1951 squad. The ’51 team,

coached by Ray Rosso, is OCC’s first conference champions. With a 7-3,

6-0 record in the Eastern Conference, the Bucs of ’51 won the title. The

honoring of the Bucs will take place 50 years to the date when OCC

clinched the championship with a 21-15 victory over Santa Ana. A banquet

for Rosso’s squad will take place after the game against the Hornets.

Eddie Johnson, OCC’s punter last season, leads the nation in punting

in Division I-AA for Idaho State. Johnson, a product of Newport Harbor

High, has a 48.44 yards-per-punt average, nearly five yards more than the

rest of his competition.