Irvine Valley's women's volleyball team wrapped up an important week with a 25-18, 29-27, 25-16 Orange Empire Conference win on Dig Pink Night at home.
The Lasers, ranked No. 1 in the state, beat two of the best teams in conference, taking down Saddleback in four sets on the road on Wednesday and then sweeping Golden West.
Saddleback was ranked No. 16 in the state and in fourth place in the conference standings, while Golden West (11-10, 8-4) was tied for second heading into Friday's action.
With the win, Irvine Valley improved its record to 18-0 overall and 12-0 in the OEC. IVC, the only undefeated team ranked in the state, moved within a win of clinching at least a share of the conference title.
Friday night's sweep was Irvine Valley's 15th of the season and 10th in conference play.
Sophomore outside hitter Olivia Aguilar led the way with 16 kills, seven digs, four blocks and five aces.
Sophomore setter Megan Ramseyer ran the offense with 39 assists. She added eight digs. Sophomore outside hitter Taira Ka'awaloa and freshman outside hitter Alyssa Vortouni each had eight kills. Ka'awaloa also contributed five digs and two aces.
Sophomore opposite Diamond Brogan contributed seven kills, freshman middle blocker Alma Entesari had three kills on three attempts with four blocks and sophomore libero Gabi Lau finished with 11 digs.
IVC went on an 8-3 run to break a 10-10 tie and take control in the opening set.
A kill by Vortouni made it 18-13.
Up, 23-18, Irvine Valley moved to set point on a kill by Brogan and Aguilar ended the set on a kill off an assist from Ramseyer.
Golden West led, 19-17 on a kill by Eden VanWaardenburg in the second set.
But the Lasers scored the next three points to go up, 20-19.
The set was tied at 20, 21 22, 24, 25, 26 and 27 with Golden West having two set points during the stretch.
Irvine Valley found a way to finish off the set, however, winning the final three points.
Brogan came through with a kill to tie it at 27-27. Ka'awaloa then served an ace to put IVC ahead, 28-27.
And Aguilar hammered a kill to finish off the set.
It was all Irvine Valley in the third and final set. The Lasers jumped out to a 13-4 lead and later had a 20-12 advantage.
Golden West got within six points at 22-16 on an IVC net call.
Irvine Valley didn't give up another point, though.
Aguilar had a kill, Golden West hit out and then Aguilar ended the set and the match with another big kill.
Proceeds from IVC's Dig Pink night will be donated to the Side-Out Foundation for breast cancer research and awareness.
Irvine Valley plays at Fullerton next Wednesday at 6 p.m. and then hosts Santa Ana next Friday at 6 p.m. in conference action.
