OEC Women's Volleyball Crown Up For Grabs

Irvine Valley is the three-time defending Orange Empire Conference champion in women's volleyball, but will have its work cut out to try and defend title in 2016.

Cypress, Golden West, Riverside, Orange Coast, Fullerton, Saddleback, Santa Ana and newcomer Santiago Canyon are all ready to try and take the Lasers down. Cypress got a head start last Friday night, handing Irvine Valley a five-set loss in a key conference match at Irvine Valley. Heading into this week's action and through three conference matches, Cypress, Irvine Valley, Golden West and Riverside are all ranked in the state and Cypress, Riverside and Golden West are all undefeated so far in conference action.

Cypress is ranked No. 8 in the state and No. 5 in Southern California, Irvine Valley is No. 16 in the state and No. 9 in So. Cal., Golden West is 17th in the state and 10th in So. Cal. and Riverside is No. 19 in the state and 12th in Southern California.

Cypress entered this week with a record of 10-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play. The Chargers are led by Rockelle Gholson, who is averaging 3.26 kills per set and 1.09 blocks per set along with 1.59 digs per set, Samantha Madrid, who averages 3.23 kills per set and is hitting a conference-leading .435, Emily Witz, who is averaging 3.65 digs per set, and Samantha Martinez, who is averaging 12.65 assists per set and 0.82 aces per set. Martinez leads the conference in assists.

Irvine Valley has a record of 4-2 overall and 2-1 in conference. The Lasers, under the direction of interim head coach Nate Ngo, are paced by Taira Ka'awaloa, who is averaging 3.36 kills per set, Juju Cannon, who averages 3.24 kills per set, Hailey Riden, who is averaging 1.20 blocks per set and Alissa Blevins, who averages 10.36 assists per set.

Golden West is off to a 6-1 start overall and has a 2-0 mark in conference action. Cassidy Paperny leads the conference in kills per set at 4.55. She is also hitting .355 Jasmine Gonzalez averages 3.45 kills and 2.64 digs per set, Baileigh Graham is averaging 6.05 digs per set and Megan Wiggins averages 6.00 assists and 0.71 aces per set. 
Riverside is off to a fast start.

The Tigers have a record of 9-3 overall and are 3-0 in conference. Marissa Vialpando averages 3.50 kills per set, Lauren Wells is averaging 3.15 kills per set, Paula Romero averages 3.38 digs per set, Nicole McAllister is averaging 1.05 blocks per set, Sabrina Gonzaga is averaging 7.77 assists per set.

Orange Coast has a mark of 6-6 overall and 1-1 in conference so far. Breanna Gardner is averaging 3.16 kills per set and has 139 kills overall. Sierra Lim leads the conference in digs at 6.24 per set. She has 281 overall through 12 matches. And  Measha Lindstrand is averaging 7.50 assists per set.

Saddleback has a record of 4-6 overall and is 1-2 in conference action. Mandy Sides is second in the conference in kills at 3.57 per set, Morgan Hocker is averaging 4.56 digs per set and Mariah Torres is averaging 6.76 assists per set.

Santa Ana has a record of 5-4 overall and is 0-3 in the OEC. Mikelle Taylor is averaging 2.88 kills and 0.53 aces per set, Viridiana Serrano is averaging 2.69 kills and 3.16 digs per set and Haylie Slater is averaging 8.25 assists per set.

Fullerton has a record of 2-7 overall and 0-3 in conference. Reilly Williams is averaging 2.00 kills per set and Maya Maldanado is averaging 2.56 digs per set for the Hornets.

Santiago Canyon is in its first year as women's volleyball program. The Hawks have been competitive so far. They have a record of 2-5 overall and are 0-2 in the conference. Riley Hausner has paced Santiago Canyon. She is averaging 2.92 kills and 3.96 digs per set. Megan Hartjes is averaging 6.84 assists and 2.56 digs per set.