Irvine Valley didn't get to be the state's No. 1-ranked team and the lone undefeated team in California without featuring an explosive offense.
On Saturday, the Lasers turned in an impressive attack, hitting .304 overall in sweeping North No. 4 seed Folsom Lake, 25-14, 25-16, 25-15, in the CCCAA State Women's Volleyball Championship quarterfinals.
IVC, now 25-0, advanced to face old postseason nemesis College of the Canyons in a state semifinal later Saturday night.
Irvine Valley sophomore outside hitter Olivia Aguilar unleashed 18 kills in 33 attempts (.424) with 15 digs while sophomore outside hitter Taira Ka'awaloa had a monster first set (seven kills, two aces) on her way to hitting .324 with 17 kills. All-American sophomore setter Megan Ramseyer had a field day with 41 assists. Sophomore libero Gabi Lau delivered the defense for the Lasers with a match-high 24 digs. At the net, freshman middle blocker Alma Entesari totaled five blocks.
In just its second season competing in women's volleyball, Folsom Lake finished a remarkable run at 24-5. The Falcons got eight kills off the bench by Analyse Stapleton and 19 digs by Meggie Bolstad. Top hitter Kylie Haverson was limited to five kills and Kate Nicknig scored six kills. Folsom Lake was a third place team in the Big 8 Conference that ousted City College of San Francisco, then beat Big 8 champion Sierra in five sets to advance to the state.
Folsom Lake head coach Matt Torrez talked about making it to state:
"To get this far, it's basically because each team has quality athletes," he said. "IVC is a great example of that, and you can see why some of these players were named All-Americans. We started believing in ourselves after winning a big match in conference last year. We had 10 returning sophomores and they built on what we accomplished last season. I was lucky to have had brought in some great athletes and it was special that this group got to make it to state."
Irvine Valley is looking for its first state title since 2014 and is two steps away. The South region is trying to break a two-year losing streak against the North.
Release by Robert Lewis, for CCCWVCA/CCCAA
