Irvine Valley's women's volleyball team clinched at least a share of the Orange Empire Conference title with a sweep of Saddleback in an Orange Empire Conference match at home on Friday.
Irvine Valley, which is ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in Southern California, improved its record to 18-0 overall and 11-0 in conference with the 25-16, 25-13, 25-14 victory over the Gauchos.
The Lasers can clinch the title outright with a win over second-place Cypress (17-3, 8-3) next Wednesday night at Cypress.
Irvine Valley has three matches left in the regular season – at Cypress Wednesday and then home to Orange Coast next Friday and home to Fullerton on Nov. 19.
Irvine Valley, which earned the fifth conference title in program history, is going after its second straight undefeated conference and regular season. Last year the Lasers also went 10-0 in conference on their way to the title.
The Lasers had little trouble with district rival Saddleback on Friday night, recording their 16th sweep of the season.
IVC has beaten opponents, 54-3, in sets this year.
On Friday, it was a team effort that got the job done. Freshman opposite Juju Cannon ended with nine kills and three blocks, sophomore All-American middle blocker Annie Mitchem had six kills, six digs, two blocks and three aces, sophomore captain outside hitter Marisa Doran finished with five kills, nine digs and two aces, freshman middle blocker Hannah Matt had four kills and two blocks and sophomore captain outside hitter Kobi Pekich chipped in five digs.
Sophomore captain setter Hailey Jones ran the offense with 25 assists.
