Cypress Brings Home OEC Women’s Volleyball Title, 5 Teams Earn Postseason Bids

The Cypress Chargers showed that they were the clear cut best team in the Orange Empire Conference, earning the title of 2021 Women's Indoor Volleyball OEC Champions with a record of 15-1 in conference play. It is the third OEC title in school history and their first since 2017. The Chargers have also earned an automatic bid to the 2021 SoCal Regionals where they will host Grossmont as the No. 4 seed in the South.

Cypress was led by a handful of freshman standouts with outside hitters Rachel Gonzales and Tainea Allen combining for 404 kills and 295 digs while setter Vanila Pulu-Suliafu recorded 671 assists, 190 digs and 102 kills and middle blocker Alli Arriolla 121 kills and 79 total blocks.

In a tie for second place, Orange Coast and Irvine Valley both finished 12-4 in OEC play and earned bids to the 2021 CCCAA SoCal Regionals.

Freshman outside hitters Summer Hanks and Sara Enright played big roles for OCC as the duo posted team highs in kills and digs. Defensively, the Pirates depended on libero Emily Payne, who finished as the OEC leader in digs at 493.

The IVC Lasers ended their run of three consecutive OEC championships but have still had an impressive season behind freshman setter and OEC assists leader (691) Madeline Harkey. Sophomore libero Alexandra Pestolis pitched in with a team high 270 digs and freshman opposite Jayli Nealy posted a team high of 273 kills.

Golden West had one of their best seasons in recent history with a record of 10-6 and a fourth place finish to punch their ticket to the SoCal Regionals as well. The bulk of the Rustler firepower came from outside hitter Adriana Morales, who posted 236 kills and 194 digs while middle blocker Ryann Gaglio added 223 and 55 total blocks.

In the fifth place spot and the final OEC team to reach postseason play, the Fullerton Hornets finished with a record of 9-7. Sophomore outside hitter Faith Webb was a highlight reel for the Hornets as she led the team in kills with 240 and was second in digs at 352.

Saddleback was next in with an 8-8 record in the OEC and was led by freshman outside hitter Sydney Brown who posted 210 kills, 150 digs and 32 service aces.

Rounding out the OEC standings was Riverside (3-13), Santa Ana (2-14) and Santiago Canyon (1-15).

Release by Cammie Lewis, Santa Ana SID