Irvine Valley's women's volleyball team captured its 20th win of the season with a 25-15, 25-18, 25-16 Orange Empire Conference victory over Orange Coast on Friday night at home.
Irvine Valley, ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in Southern California, improved its record to 20-0 overall and 13-0 in conference, while Orange Coast slipped to 13-6 overall and 7-6 in conference.
It is the third 20th win season in Irvine Valley program history, following up 20-plus win campaigns in 2007 and 2013.
IVC also moved one win away from its second-straight undefeated regular season with the victory.
And Irvine Valley stayed absolutely perfect at home. Irvine Valley has not dropped a set yet this year in Hart Gymnasium, recording nine sweeps.
The Lasers lost two sets in an early season win over NAIA ranked Concordia and then dropped single sets at both Fullerton and Cypress during conference play.
"It helps to have talent and we have a lot of that this year," IVC coach Tom Pestolesi said. "It is a special team. But what I really like is that it is also a very motivated team that really gets along."
Irvine Valley was paced by All-American sophomore middle blocker Annie Mitchem, who had a monster night.
Mitchem, who is headed to the University of Hawaii next year, finished with 14 kills, eight blocks, nine digs and two aces. She hit .600 in the match. Mitchem led the state in hitting percentage going into the contest with a .501 clip.
Sophomore outside hitter Kobi Pekich also had a very solid night. She added 11 kills and 12 digs and hit .529.
Sophomore outside hitter Marisa Doran chipped in nine kills, three blocks, seven digs and two aces, freshman libero Kayla Scheevel contributed nine digs and sophomore setter Hailey Jones had 40 assists and six digs in the win for Irvine Valley.
Irvine Valley will go for win No. 21 in a row on Wednesday when it closes out the regular season against Fullerton at home at 6 p.m.
