OCC’s Welch in his element in win

COSTA MESA — Kevin Welch was himself on the volleyball court.

He constantly wiped the wet spots on the floor with a towel. He took charge, once ordering an Orange Coast College teammate to sit down because it wasn’t his turn to serve.

He then almost took out one of the line judges with a ferocious shot, accurate enough to record a kill.

“That happens sometimes,” Welch said with a smile.

The line judge made herself a perfect target in the corner. She wore a long neon tank top. She lit up the gym, so did Welch against Grossmont College Friday night.

Welch blasted a match-high 20 kills to lead the Pirates to a 30-22, 30-22, 28-30, 30-22 Pacific Coast Conference victory at home.

The sophomore outside hitter is now seven kills shy of surpassing Kevin Reid for the school’s career record of 657 kills set in 1996-97. Right now the sophomore is more worried with how the young Pirates finish the regular season.

OCC (10-5, 6-2 in conference) plays its next four conference matches at home before the postseason begins. The next match is Wednesday against Irvine Valley, the defending state champion. This will be a test to see if the Pirates can compete with the elite.

“In the beginning of the season we were trying to figure out the team chemistry and all that stuff,” said Welch, whose team shared the conference title with the Lasers last year. “I think we kind of got it figured out right now.”

Welch is the key to OCC’s success. He showed it against Grossmont (1-12, 1-7) by delivering booming shots throughout. He also recorded nine digs and two service aces.

Now the Corona del Mar High product has the opportunity to perform at a high level against the best, Irvine Valley. He missed the match at Irvine Valley on March 7, when OCC was swept, because of a back injury.

OCC Coach Travis Turner decided to keep Welch out and also freshman setter Corey Ferraro. Ferraro’s absence wasn’t due to an injury, just one that Turner didn’t want to comment on when asked why Ferraro was missing.

Welch said he would’ve played hurt against Irvine Valley because he’s stubborn. That type of determination is a reason why the Pirates might make a run in the playoffs despite having 11 freshmen.

The inexperience showed in Game 3 against the Griffins, who were led by freshman Kyle McDonald’s 15 kills. OCC, mixing up the lineup, failed to put Grossmont away, but to Turner it was OK.

“It’s not bad to go four [games],” Turner said. “We need to play a little bit.”

The Pirates had to when Grossmont fooled them on a serve late in the third game. The Griffins went up, 29-26, after two players lined up behind the line, not knowing whose turn it was to serve. The Pirates weren’t ready with the confusion. Then libero Andrew Paiva quickly hit it, catching OCC off guard.

Seconds later Turner rose from his chair to argue the call. Nothing came of it. It didn’t matter because the Griffins had no chance in Game 4, as freshman outside hitter Grant Keene and freshman opposite Cullan Maher recorded kills to finish with 14 and eight, respectively.

“We got to get this thing rolling, get on to the state tournament,” said Welch, adding that he’s being recruited by the University of Hawaii. “We get [Irvine Valley] here at our place. Hopefully things will change.”

One thing is for sure, Welch won’t change his no-holds-barred approach.

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at [email protected].