Irvine Valley, Orange Coast, Santa Monica hold top three in poll
IRVINE, Calif. - The top three stayed the same for the second week in a row in the California Community College Men’s Volleyball Coaches Association State Poll.
And Irvine Valley made it three straight weeks at the top after improving its record to 4-1 with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-18 win at Palomar last Wednesday. The Lasers are second in the state in team hitting percentage at .351 and third in the state in blocks per set at 2.21. Ruben Lopez leads the way. He is averaging 3.44 kills per set and hitting .471 on the year, which ranks second in the state.
Orange Coast also improved to 4-1 with a straight-set (25-17, 25-16, 25-18) win at former No. 1 Long Beach City last week. The Pirates have gotten big-time play from Chris Young, who leads the state in digs, Colby Elder, who leads the state in assists, and Bradley Hankus, who is tops in the state in blocks.
Santa Monica is at the third spot and has the most wins in the state with five (5-1). The Corsairs play host to No. 9 Santa Barbara City this Wednesday. Santa Monica has gotten nice balance on offense so far this season from Vecas Lewin, Dane Pieper and Andrew Dalmada.
Pierce moved up a place to No. 4 in the poll. The Brahmas are riding a three-match win streak and boast the second-leading assist man in the state in Bernardo Roese.
Golden West comes in at the fifth position. The Rustlers make it three teams in the Orange Empire Conference with records of 4-1. The Rustlers swept Santa Barbara at home and Miramar on the road last week.
The full top 10 poll can be viewed below.
CCCMVCA State Top 10
1. Irvine Valley (4-1)
2. Orange Coast (4-1)
3. Santa Monica (5-1)
4. LA Pierce (3-1)
5. Golden West (4-1)
6. Long Beach City (3-3)
7. El Camino (1-3)
8. Fullerton (4-3)
9. Santa Barbara City (2-4)
10. San Diego Mesa (2-0)
Others receiving votes: Miramar, Grossmont, Moorpark