Tennis players Paz and MacDonnell sign with Hope International

Tennis players Paz and MacDonnell sign with Hope International

Two Irvine Valley women's tennis players have signed with Hope International University.

Samantha Paz and Lauren MacDonnell are headed to compete for the Royals.

Hope International is an NAIA school in Fullerton.

MacDonnell was a sophomore this past season for the Lasers.

She helped IVC to a share of the Orange Empire Conference title in 2017 and a second-place finish in the OEC this past season and back-to-back semifinal appearances in the CCCAA So. Cal. Regional Team Playoffs.

The 2018 Irvine Valley squad was recently ranked No. 5 in the state in the final Oracle/Intercollegiate Tennis Association State Rankings.

Irvine Valley finished with a record of 13-4 overall and was 8-2 in conference.

The 2017 team was ranked No. 4 in the state.

MacDonnell had a record of 8-6 overall in singles playing at the fourth through six spots in the lineup for the Lasers in 2018. She went 12-5 in doubles in the third position for the Lasers, competing mainly with freshman Anna Kretchova.

Paz was a player for Irvine Valley during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, helping the team to a record of 7-6 overall and a playoff appearance and then a key member of the 2017 team that finished ranked fourth in the state, went 11-5 and shared the OEC title.

Paz played at No. 4 singles primarily for the Lasers in 2017 and was often paired with MacDonnell in doubles at the No. 3 position. The duo had an impressive record of 11-3 together. She was also ranked No. 13 in the state in doubles with Sarah Mae Garcia based on their reaching the round of 16 at the state event at Ojai.