ORANGE COAST WRAPS UP A PERFECT SEASON AS THE OEC CHAMPS

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- It was 16 up and 16 down for the Orange Coast College beach volleyball team as the Pirates went unbeaten throughout Orange Empire Conference play and officially wrapped up the conference crown with a pair of 5-0 wins over Saddleback and Riverside on Friday at the Newland Volleyball Courts.

The Pirates (18-1), winners of 17 straight as well as the aforementioned 16-0 run in conference, captured their third OEC crown over the past four seasons. 

Against the Bobcats, Coast cruised to straight-set wins in four matches, including Jordan Packer/Kayla Ihrig (21-9, 21-15), Lola Fernsten/Briana Bowman (21-13, 21-15), Sophia Wirtzer/Camryn Hayek (21-8, 21-14) and Nika Safavi/Madison Hopkins (21-6, 21-14). No. 5 was won by the Pirates by way of forfeit.

The numbers were even more impressive for Coast in its match with the Tigers, with more wins coming from Packer/Ihrig (21-6, 21-1), Fernsten/Bowman (21-12, 21-15), Wirtzer/Hayek (21-15, 21-14) and Safavi/Hopkins (21-18, 21-11). Again, the No. 5 match was won by forfeit.

The Pirates will now head to postseason play, which will take place on Tuesday, April 29, with a time and location to be determined at the seeding meetings this weekend.

Story by Tony Altobelli, Orange Coast College