Volleyball team sweeps Santiago Canyon, gears up for Cypress

Courtesy of On My Game Photography
Courtesy of On My Game Photography

Irvine Valley's women's volleyball team won its second straight match in Orange Empire Conference play, sweeping Santiago Canyon on the road on Tuesday.

Santiago Canyon is in its first year as a program.

The Lasers came out on top, 25-14, 25-12, 25-10, to improve their record to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in conference.

Sophomore opposite Juju Cannon had nine kills and nine digs and freshman outside hitter Taira Ka'awaloa had eight kills and eight digs to lead Irvine Valley, which is ranked No. 22 in the state.

Sophomore setter Alissa Blevins finished with 27 assists.

Irvine Valley, which has won three straight OEC titles, now heads into a big match on Friday at home against Cypress. Cypress has a record of 9-1 and is ranked eighth in the state.

So far this season, Riden leads the conference in blocks at 1.18 per set, Ka'awaloa ranks third in the conference in kills per set at 3.53 and is second in hitting percentage at .391.

Blevins is second in the OEC in assists at 10.59 per set, freshman outside hitter Hannah Holder ranks third in the conference in hitting percentage at .383 and freshman middle blocker Kylie Miller is third in blocks per set at 1.10.