CYPRESS, CA – The Cypress College women's volleyball team (11-7, 6-3 OEC) bounced back from last Friday's tough five-set loss at No. 1 Irvine Valley with a home victory over No. 21 Orange Coast College (15-4, 6-3 OEC) on Wednesday night (25-19, 25-17, 19-25, 25-12). The No. 18 Chargers are now tied with the Pirates for second place in the Orange Empire Conference with seven games remaining.

The Chargers took the momentum early in front of their home crowd, jumping out to a 21-12 lead in the opening set. The Pirates were able to close the gap with a four-point run, but a kill from sophomore Kayla Owens and a block by freshman Savannah Johnson would put it away for Cypress, 25-19.

Both teams battled in the second set, trading points to tie the game at nine apiece. Back-to-back kills from Owens gave Cypress the lead before two aces from sophomore Khamis Berneker captured the set, 25-19.

Cypress struggled defensively in the third set, allowing OCC to take a 19-8 lead. However, the Chargers battled back fueled by an 11-4 run, but it was too big a hole to complete the comeback, as the Pirates took the set, 25-19.

Berneker and sophomore middle Jane Woodward took control in the fourth set, allowing the Chargers to take a 9-2 lead. Cypress went on to dominate the Pirates 25-12, taking the match in four sets.

Women's Volleyball will return to action on the road Friday at Santiago Canyon College. Game time is scheduled for 6:00 pm.

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