Pirates sweep Lasers; Rustler rematch up next

COSTA MESA -- It was the perfect appetizer for this week's main course as the undefeated Orange Coast College men's volleyball team made quick work of visiting Irvine Valley, sweeping past the Lasers on Wednesday night inside OCC's Peterson Gym.

The 25-18, 25-12, 25-12 win over the Lasers sets up the home matchup we've all been waiting for ... a rematch with defending state champion, Golden West College. That match will take place on Friday at OCC, beginning at 6 p.m.

In Wednesday's win, Victor Loiola led the offensive output with 11 kills and put up four total blocks as well. Collin Applegate and Max Smith each ripped seven kills, while Ben Bray added four kills to go along with a team-high four digs.

Mason Grubbs paced the offense with 15 assists, while teammate Jett Reyes dished out 10 assists.

Up next is Round 2 between the state's top two teams ... the No. 1-ranked Pirates (23-0, 13-0 in conference) and the No. 2-ranked Rustlers (20-3, 10-3) in the regular-season finale for both teams before the postseason begins next week.

In the first meeting between the two teams back on March 18 at GWC, the Pirates topped the Rustlers in four sets (25-22, 25-17, 23-25, 25-19), led by the 1-2 punch of Loiola (17 kills, five digs) and Bray (13 kills, six digs). In the middle, Seth Sainz (10 kills, four blocks) Bjorn Hawe (five kills, two blocks) controlled the play near the net, while opposites Quentin Ryan (eight kills) and Collin Applegate (five kills four total blocks) provided needed offensive depth for the Pirates. 

The Coast defense kept the Rustlers to a .168 hitting percentage with no double-figure kill leaders on the GWC side of the scoresheet. Gino Viggiano and A.J. Kuebrich each had seven kills for Golden West, while Frankie Gates added six. 

Following Friday's showdown, the Pirates will host the opening round of the Southern California Regional playoffs, which will take place on Friday, April 17 at 6 p.m.