Irvine Valley freshman men's volleyball player Garret Schnitker has committed to Division I Charleston University, Laser head coach Ryan Windisch announced recently.
The 6-6 opposite played a big part in Irvine Valley capturing the Orange Empire Conference this past spring.
The Lasers finished with a record of 8-2 overall. The two losses were to Orange Coast during the regular season.
But Schnitker and Irvine Valley beat Orange Coast when it mattered most. The Lasers upset the Pirates in the Orange Empire Conference Tournament Final, winning 26-24, 25-17, 22-25, 25-17.
On the year, Schnitker averaged 2.45 kills per set, which ranked third on the team and 11th in the conference.
He finished with 71 total kills on the year.
Schnitker also averaged 0.72 digs and 0.69 blocks per set.
His had seven matches with at least seven kills and finished with a season-high 15 kills against Orange Coast at home on May. 14.
Schnitker hit .364 in two separate matches (at Santiago Canyon on Apr. 23 and vs. Golden West on May 5).
During the 2019 season (before it was halted to due COVID), Schnitker averaged 0.81 kills per set and hit .258.
Schnitker attended Esperanza High before arriving at Irvine Valley and is headed to a Charleston University squad that finished with a record of 4-13 overall last season.