Men's volleyball team falls to El Camino in 2016 opener

Men's volleyball team falls to El Camino in 2016 opener

Irvine Valley's men's volleyball team played well in spurts, but dropped its first match of the 2016 season Friday afternoon at IVC.

The Lasers fell to El Camino, 28-26, 25-21, 21-25, 25-16.

Freshman opposite Kyle Radecki led IVC with 14 kills. Freshman outside hitter Garret Costello had nine kills, freshman middle blocker Jake Heinrichs added six kills and freshman outside hitter Ruben Lopez ended with five kills.

Freshman libero Josh Evers contributed 11 digs and sophomore setter Peter Van Liefde had 37 assists.

Irvine Valley had its chances in the opening set. The Lasers trailed, 21-19, but scored four straight points to take a 23-21 lead.

Radecki had back-to-back kills and Radecki and sophomore middle blocker Robert Ryley combined for a block for a kill.

Two points later, IVC went in front 24-22 when El Camino served into the net.

But the Warriors tied the match at 24-24 with a kill and then a serve winner.

IVC didn't have another set point the rest of the way. The Lasers tied it at 25-25 on a kill by Radecki and at 26-26 on a kill by Heinrichs.

El Camino closed out the set with a tip winner and then an IVC hitting error.

Irvine Valley raced out to a 4-0 lead in the second set, but El Camino fought back and ended up out-lasting IVC to win the set.

The third set was tied at 20-20 when Irvine Valley took control.

A kill by Heinrichs gave the Lasers the lead for good.

Lopez's kill gave Irvine Valley set point at 24-21 and a hitting error by El Camino gave the Lasers the set and kept them in the match.

El Camino pulled away in the fourth set, however. The Warriors jumped out to a 21-13 lead and IVC couldn't recover.

A block for a point ended the match for the Warriors.

Irvine Valley will get a week and a half off before playing again on Wednesday, Feb. 17. IVC will host LA Pierce at 6 p.m. that night.