Irvine Valley sophomore Annie Mitchem and Laser coach Tom Pestolesi earned top honors for the second straight year when Orange Empire Conference women's volleyball all-conference teams were announced last week.
Mitchem, a 6-2 middle blocker that is headed to the University of Hawaii, was named the conference player of the year once again after having another dominant season.
Mitchem averaged 3.86 kills per set in conference to go along with 2.30 digs and 1.32 blocks per set. She also hit an impressive .461 in conference action.
She led the conference and the state in hitting percentage and was among the state leaders in kills and blocks.
Mitchem paced IVC to its second straight 10-0 conference record and title. Heading into this year's playoffs, the Lasers, who have been ranked No. 2 in the state all season, had a record of 21-0.
"She was so good last year," Pestolesi said of Mitchem, who was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association 2-year National Player of the Year in 2013. "But honestly, she has been at even another level this year. Her work ethic has been better so her fitness is better.
"What I like the most is that she has been just so engaged in everything - personally, with her teammates and with her academics. It has been great to see how she has grown as a person and it has made her an even better volleyball player. Our entire coaching staff has been so very proud of her this year."
Pestolesi was named the conference coach of the year for the second year in a row after guiding IVC to the fifth conference title in program history this season.
"It all comes down to talent and we have a lot of it," said Pestolesi. "This award is because of that. Still, I want to thank our great coaching staff who works so very hard and makes the success possible."
Irvine Valley three other players named first team all-conference. They were sophomore outside hitters Marisa Doran and Kobi Pekich and sophomore setter Hailey Jones. It was the second straight first-team honor for both Doran and Jones.
Jones paced the conference in assists at 11.55 per set and also led the state in assists for most of this season.
Doran averaged 3.31 kills and 2.92 kills per set and Pekich, who was named second team all-conference a year ago, averaged 2.36 kills and 2.69 digs per set in conference this season.
Irvine Valley freshman middle blocker Hannah Matt, who has been consistent for the Lasers all season long, was named second team all-conference.