Women's volleyball team earns share of OEC title with home win

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

Irvine Valley's women's volleyball team accomplished one of its goals for the season on Wednesday night at home.

The Lasers earned a share of the Orange Empire Conference title, sweeping Santiago Canyon, 25-8, 25-6, 25-7.

It is the team's second Orange Empire Conference title in a row and fifth in the last six seasons.

Irvine Valley, ranked No. 1 in the state and the defending state champion, will go after the conference crown outright next Wednesday when it hosts Riverside at 6 p.m.

On Wednesday night, the Lasers hit .513 as a team with just two errors on the night.

Freshman outside hitter Lea Kruse ended with 13 kills and 11 digs, sophomore outside hitter Alyssa Vortouni had nine kills, hit .529 and added three block assists and freshman middle blocker Kristin Austin chipped in eight kills, hit .800 and had five block assists.

Sophomore specialist jade Parham contributed six digs and four aces, freshman defensive specialist Anna Unke had six digs, sophomore libero Renata Bath finished with 12 digs and freshman setter Truth Hafey ended with 37 assists, five digs and three aces.

Irvine Valley, which improved its program win streak to 43 matches, has a bye from conference action on Friday.