The 2026 Orange Empire Conference women’s volleyball season opened on September 16, 2026, with eight of nine teams starting conference play. No. 13 Saddleback College Bobcats, holding a 5-1 record and the only 3C2A ranked team in the conference, are among the favorites entering the competition.
In the first game, Saddleback College faced off against the reigning back-to-back OEC champion Orange Coast College Pirates. Orange Coast is under new leadership this season with head coach Susie Packard taking over after the retirement of Chuck Cutenese, who led the team to an undefeated 16-0 season last year. Orange Coast entered conference play with a 2-3 record, having lost exclusively to top 10 ranked teams so far this season.
The Golden West Rustlers, who finished second in the previous season, also started their conference schedule with a 2-3 record, facing the Riverside City College Tigers. Riverside City holds a 4-4 record, with all its losses against top 10 ranked teams.
Additional opening night matches included Irvine Valley College (2-3) against Fullerton College (4-4), and Santa Ana College (3-1) hosting Santiago Canyon College (3-3). The Cypress Chargers, holding a 7-3 record, did not play on the opening night and will begin their conference schedule on September 17 against Riverside City College.
CSB Take
The beginning of the 2026 Orange Empire Conference women’s volleyball season highlights a competitive race with a strong lineup of teams facing each other early. Saddleback College’s status as the only 3C2A ranked team in the conference and the defending champion Orange Coast College adapting to new leadership offer a compelling narrative. Early conference matchups will be pivotal in setting the tone for the championship battle, showcasing which teams are prepared to contend for the title this season.
Source: Original report
