Irvine Valley's men's volleyball team wasn't at its best, but pulled out a win in its 2017 season opener on Wednesday night at LA Pierce.
Irvine Valley, which was ranked No. 3 in the first California Community College Men's Volleyball Coaches Association state poll, defeated Pierce, 28-26, 22-25, 27-25, 22-25, 17-15.
"We will take the win, but I'd give us a C minus for our first time out," Irvine Valley coach Tom Pestolesi said. "We have to be more consistent. We are still figuring some stuff out, but I think we are going to be all right."
Irvine Valley got 18 kills from sophomore outside hitter Ruben Lopez and 13 kills, four blocks and two aces from freshman middle blocker Matt August in the victory.
Lopez hit .652 on the night and August hit .435.
Freshman outside hitter Brennan To added 10 kills, freshman outside hitter Patrick Furlong had five kills and freshman outside hitter Mahdi Younis added four kills.
Freshman setter Austin McBain finished with 45 assists and three blocks.
Irvine Valley trailed, 24-18, in the first set, but battled back behind the serving of August.
"He brought us back in game one," Pestolesi said.
Irvine Valley nearly closed out the match in four sets. The Lasers were in control and up, 18-15, but ended up losing, 25-22.
In the fifth and final set, the Lasers fell behind, 10-7.
They tied the set at 12-12. Irvine Valley took a 15-14 lead only to see Pierce knot the score. But IVC won the final two points to earn the victory.
Irvine Valley plays again this Saturday in a quad event at Orange Coast. The Lasers take on top-ranked Long Beach City at 10 a.m. before playing No. 5 Santa Monica at 4 p.m.