Men's volleyball team battles, loses in five at Grossmont

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

Irvine Valley's men's volleyball team ended up on the wrong side of another down to the wire, five-set match on Friday.

The Lasers, ranked No. 8 in the state, fell at Grossmont, 25-19, 23-25, 32-34, 25-20, 16-14.

It was Irvine Valley's fifth, five-set match this year. IVC is 1-4 in five-set matches.

Irvine Valley's record went to 5-7 on the year. Grossmont improved to 4-6 overall.

The Lasers took a 2-1 lead at Grossmont with a 34-32 win in the third set, but Grossmont came back and took the final two sets for the victory.

Grossmont hit .324 as a team in the match and recorded 52 digs.

Irvine Valley hit .272.

The Lasers were led by sophomore opposite Demetre Gossett, one of the state leaders in kills, with 24 kills. He also hit .341 and had four digs and two aces.

Sophomore outside hitter Max Wise finished with nine kills and eight digs, freshman outside hitter Colin Chillingworth had nine kills, and freshman outside hitter/middle blocker Josh Beymer and freshman opposite Josh Griffith each added six kills.

Sophomore setter Jimi Wilson finished with 54 assists and seven digs for the Lasers.

Irvine Valley opens Orange Empire Conference play on Wednesday at Fullerton at 6 p.m.