Irvine Valley's women's volleyball team opened what it hopes to be a special 2014 season with a big win on Wednesday night.
The Lasers, who finished third at the CCCAA State Championships last season, defeated Concordia University of Irvine in five sets at Concordia.
Concordia had won its first four matches of the season and was ranked No. 2 nationally in the NAIA.
The Eagles are the three-time defending champion of the Golden State Athletic Conference and returned two All-American players.
Irvine Valley came out on top, 26-28, 25-19, 26-24, 19-25, 15-7.
"It was all about ball control for us," IVC coach Tom Pestolesi said. "The games that we won, we passed better. It is something that we have to continue to make a focus and work on."
The Lasers received several stellar performances in the win.
Leading the way was sophomore middle blocker Annie Mitchem.
Mitchem, the reigning AVCA 2-Year National Player of the Year, ended with 16 kills, 10 blocks, 16 digs and even added three assists. Mitchem also hit .560 with just two errors in 25 attempts.
"It was a great start for her," IVC coach Tom Pestolesi said. "She was like Magic Johnson in filling up the stat sheet. Annie was our best hitter, best blocker and best digger."
Also starring in the match on Wednesday night for the Lasers were returning all-conference player Marisa Doran, who had 13 kills, seven digs, three aces and hit .435, freshman opposite Juju Cannon, who had eight kills and five blocks, freshman middle blocker Hannah Matt, who added seven kills and two blocks, returning all-conference player Kobi Pekich, who added four blocks and 11 digs and returning all-region setter Hailey Jones, who contributed three blocks, five digs and 43 assists.
Irvine Valley plays again next Friday at College of the Canyons at 5 p.m.