Reports From LBCC
Defending state champion Long Beach City College and Irvine Valley College have been named the top seeds for this weekend’s California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Men’s Volleyball State Championship tournament. The event is set to take place this Thursday and Saturday, April 22 and 24, at Orange Coast College’s Peterson Gym in Costa Mesa.
The state championship semifinals will feature a pair of great interconference matchups on Thursday, as Irvine Valley will face Moorpark College at 5:30 p.m., followed by Long Beach vs. host Orange Coast at 8:30 p.m. The winners will advance to Saturday’s state championship final at 7 p.m.
On Tuesday, Moorpark (WSC #2 seed) cruised to a three-set sweep (33-31, 30-17, 30-25) of Palomar College (PCAC #3) at home in the state quarterfinals. The Raiders got 20 kills from Josh Howley, 14 kills and four blocks from Kyle Auge and 12 kills and three blocks from Tyler Peterson in the win.
Orange Coast (PCAC #2) had just an easy a time in its quarterfinal match, as the Pirates also completed a three-set sweep (32-30, 30-27, 30-20) at home against Santa Monica College (WSC #3). Harrison Carroll led the Pirates with 16 kills, while Brad Hemmerling added 10 kills, two aces and nine digs.
About the Long Beach City College Vikings
Long Beach enters the tournament for the fifth straight season and comes in with a state-best 16-1 overall record. The Vikings went undefeated in Western State Conference play at 10-0 for the second consecutive year to capture their sixth conference title in seven seasons under head coach Randy Totorp. LBCC’s lone loss this year was in three sets at home vs. Orange Coast on February 12. LBCC’s only loss last season was also to the Pirates. Long Beach has won seven state championships overall (1976, 1980, 1982, 1985, 2004, 2006, 2009). Last season, the Vikings defeated Golden West College 3-1 for the state title after sweeping Santa Monica in the semifinals.
About the Orange Coast College Pirates
Orange Coast returns to the Final Four for the fourth straight season after Tuesday’s win. The Pirates enter play this weekend with a 17-2 overall record and went 10-2 in the PCAC to finish just one match back of Irvine Valley. Orange Coast has won two state titles (1991, 1994). Last year, Orange Coast suffered a 3-1 loss to Golden West in the state championship semifinals.
About the Irvine Valley College Lasers
Irvine Valley looks to win its fourth state title (1993, 2007, 2008). Irvine Valley compiled a 16-2 overall record and cruised to its fourth Pacific Coast Athletic Conference championship over the past five years with an 11-1 mark. But it was the first conference title for first-year head coach Ki Yi. Irvine Valley is making its sixth straight postseason appearance. IVC fell to Santa Monica by a score of 3-1 in last year’s state quarterfinals.
About the Moorpark College Raiders
Moorpark will attempt to earn its second state title and returns to the Final Four for the first time since its state championship 2005 season. The Raiders, making their second consecutive postseason appearance under head coach Steve Burkhart, finished second in the Western State Conference at 8-2 and enter the state championships with a 14-4 overall record. In their lone meeting this season on February 3, Moorpark suffered a 3-2 loss at home to Irvine Valley.