Pirates sweep Lasers; await GWC on Wednesday

IRVINE -- The battle of the unbeatens will now officially become a reality for the 16-0 Orange Coast College Pirates and Golden West Rustlers as the Pirates knocked off Irvine Valley on Wednesday in straight sets.

Victor Loiola led the Pirates (16-0, 6-0 in conference play) with 14 kills, three digs and four block assists as OCC topped IVC, 25-21, 25-16, 25-17. Ben Bray added eight kills and six digs, while Seth Sainz and Bjorn Hawe controlled the middle with a combined 10 kills, no errors on just 14 attempts (.714 hitting percentage).

The win, combined with GWC's 25-22, 25-23, 28-26 win over Santiago Canyon, sets up the showdown that all of California Community College athletics has been waiting for this year. GWC will host the Pirates on Wednesday night, beginning at 6 p.m. (LIVE STREAM)

The Pirates, who finished third in the state after falling in the semifinals last year to San Diego Mesa, has won three of the past four state championships, dating back to 2022. The Rustlers, who beat Mesa for the state championship last year, has won 23 consecutive matches dating back to last year. 

Coast has been led offensively by Bray's 113 kills, 49 digs and 23 aces, while Loiola has added 104 kills with freshman opposite Quentin Ryan close behind with 99 kills. 

Sophomore Aidan Dubno leads the Rustlers' offense with 125 kills, while freshman Gino Viggiano is close behind with 111. Adding to the offensive options for head coach Nick Amado include Noah Nelson (83 kills), AJ Kubrich (64 kills) and Frankie Gates (59 kills).

Among state leaders, GWC is second in kills (624), followed closely by the Pirates (607), but OCC's .370 hitting percentage tops all other teams, showing quality AND quantity.

Both teams are tough at the net, with the Pirates earning 247 total blocks, while the Rustlers have racked up 222 total blocks. 

Coast leads the state with 106 aces, while the Rustlers sit tied for third in the state at 91.

GWC swept the season series over the Pirates last year, winning in five sets at OCC on 3/19/25 and in three sets at GWC in the season finale on 4/11/25.

Coast will host the Rustlers on Friday, April 10, beginning at 6 p.m. in the regular-season finale.