Orange Empire Conference Volleyball Begins

Orange Empire Conference (OEC) play began on Friday, September 20th as all but one team saw action.

The best game of the night turned out to be a matchup between an Irvine Valley (0-9, 0-1) team that was looking for their first win of the season and a solid Riverside City (7-4, 1-0) team that entered with one of the better records in non-conference play.

Despite trailing 2-0, the RCC Tigers mounted a huge comeback to start off OEC play with a win, leaving IVC still in search of answers.

The No. 10 ranked Orange Coast Pirates (9-1, 1-0) have to be the favorite to win the conference this year after posting an 8-1 non-conference record and then starting OEC play with a sweep of the Santiago Canyon Hawks (2-1, 0-1) on Friday night.

Cypress (4-7, 1-0) began the year with a grueling six game stretch against top 20 ranked opponents. The Chargers have since rebounded nicely, winning four of their last five including Friday's matchup against the Fullerton Hornets (2-5, 0-1).

The final matchup of the night was between the Golden West Rustlers (3-5, 1-0) and the Santa Ana Dons (5-5, 0-1). The Rustlers broke a four game losing streak with a sweep of the Dons to start OEC play off on the right foot.

Saddleback was the only team that did not compete as they began with a bye. The Bobcats are currently 4-3 overall and will get their first shot in conference play on Wednesday against Golden West.

Release by Cammie Lewis, Santa Ana