Men's volleyball team tied for third in latest state poll

Courtesy of On My Game Photography
Courtesy of On My Game Photography

Irvine Valley's men's volleyball team moved up a spot in this week's California Community College Men's Volleyball Coaches Association State Poll. 

The Lasers won both of their matches last week, beating two four-year colleges. The Lasers topped Hope International in four sets last Wednesday at home and then swept St. Katherine on Friday afternoon at home.

IVC saw freshman outside hitter Sean Carroll finish with 16 kills, sophomore middle blocker Matt August end with 14 kills, hit .700 and have eight blocks and sophomore outside hitter Patrick Furlong chip in 13 kills in its 25-18, 22-25, 27-25, 25-17 victory over Hope International last Wednesday.

Long Beach City easily kept a hold of the No. 1 spot in the state poll.

The Vikings received the No. 1 vote from all coaches in the state after winning both of their matches last week and moving to 4-0 overall. Long Beach City swept at Golden West, 25-11, 25-14, 25-15 on Wednesday and then did the same at San Diego Mesa on Friday, coming out on top, 25-17, 25-11, 25-16.

Long Beach City has won 12 of 13 sets so far this year. Noah Taitano had nine kills and hit .389, Marques Buggs had eight kills and hit .357 and Andrew Pearson finished with seven kills and hit .700 in LBCC's win over Mesa last Friday.

Orange Coast (4-1) moved up a spot in the rankings to No. 2 this week after three wins. The Pirates swept Moorpark, 25-19, 25-22, 25-16, last Friday at Cal Lutheran and then swept UC Santa Cruz and El Camino at Cal Lutheran on Saturday. OCC has earned sweeps in all four of its wins so far this season.

Fullerton and Irvine Valley tied for third place in the poll. Fullerton rallied from two sets down to beat Pierce last Wednesday on the road, 17-25, 23-25, 25-23, 29-17, 15-13. 

Irvine Valley improved its record to 4-1 overall with the two wins last week and plays at El Camino on Wednesday night in its lone match of the week. El Camino is ranked No. 7 in the state.

The Hornets hit .388 as a team for the match and were led by Javier Zavala with 11 kills, Jacob Van Der Beek with 10 kills and Charlie Juarez with seven kills. Brian Marquez ran the offense with 46 assists and contributed four blocks.

Pierce dropped three spots to No. 5 after its five-set loss to Fullerton in what was the match of the week. Pierce responded with a 25-19, 25-15, 25-12 win over Golden West at home on Friday. The Brahmas got 10 kills and five aces from Jayson Moore and nine kills from Cole Chea in the win. Pierce plays at Orange Coast on Wednesday night.

CCCMVCA State Top 10
1. Long Beach City (4-0)
2. Orange Coast (4-1)
3T. Fullerton (1-0)
3T. Irvine Valley (3-1)
5. LA Pierce (2-1)
6. Santa Barbara City (3-0)
7. El Camino (1-1)
8. Santa Monica (1-2)
9. Antelope Valley (3-1)
10. Moorpark (0-2)
Others receiving votes: Santiago Canyon, SD Miramar, Golden West, Grossmont