Men's volleyball Dig Pink Night Friday night vs. Orange Coast

Men's volleyball Dig Pink Night Friday night vs. Orange Coast

Irvine Valley's men's volleyball team plays Orange Coast in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference match-up with lots on the line Friday night at home.

It is the regular-season finale for both squads.

Orange Coast (14-5, 11-2 in conference) and Irvine Valley (13-4, 11-2) are tied for second place in the conference standings, one match behind first-place Grossmont (15-4, 12-1).

Grossmont has already earned at least a share of the conference title and can win it outright with a victory over San Diego City on Friday.

Grossmont swept San Diego City, which has a record of 4-15 overall, the first time the two teams met.

Irvine Valley and Orange Coast are fighting for second place in conference and a state quarterfinal home match next week. The team that finishes in third will be on the road to open the playoffs.

Friday's match is also Dig Pink night for the Lasers with all proceeds to be donated to the Side-Out Foundation to help support breast cancer awareness.

Admission is $5 and includes a pink Asics shirt. There will also be a raffle for gifts and prizes.

Another notable for the match is that the Irvine Valley women's volleyball players will receive their State Championship rings for their undefeated season last fall. 

The Irvine Valley men's team defeated Orange Coast in five sets the first time the two teams played. The Lasers came out on top, 25-27, 25-20, 25-22, 31-33, 16-14.

Sophomore opposite and setter Arek Halaj led a balanced attack with 16 kills to go along with 29 assists and eight digs, while sophomore outside hitter Cole Murray added 13 kills, freshman outside hitter Peter Van Liefde chipped in 12 kills and freshman middle blocker Robert Ryley had 10 kills.

Irvine Valley is coming off a 25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21 conference win at Golden West on Wednesday.

Hajal had another strong match with 14 kills and 18 assists. Van Liefde and sophomore middle blocker Matt Mittry each added nine kills. Mittry hit .667 on the night.

Ryley chipped in seven kills and four blocks and hit .600. Sophomore libero Billy Crow had 13 digs and freshman setter Jake Adams finished with 28 assists in the win.

Orange Coast lost at Grossmont in four sets on Wednesday.

Adrian Faitalia finished with 14 kills and Kamaha'o Paio had 13 kills for Coast. Nick Amado added nine kills and seven blocks for OCC, while Steven Duhoux led the Pirates with 36 assists and 16 digs.