Irvine Valley moves its record to 4-0 with fourth sweep of year

Irvine Valley moves its record to 4-0 with fourth sweep of year

The Irvine Valley women's volleyball team might not have played its best match of the season so far Wednesday night at home.

But was another win and another sweep to improve the Lasers' record to 4-0 overall.

Irvine Valley, ranked No. 5 in the state, has swept all four of its opponents so far this year.

IVC came through with a 25-15, 25-23, 25-21 win over MiraCosta Wednesday.

The Lasers had to really battle in the second and third sets.

Irvine Valley played its best volleyball of the night to close out the first set. The Lasers out-scored the Spartans, 9-3, to go up, 1-0.

But MiraCosta hung with IVC in the second set. It tied the set at 15-15 before Irvine Valley took control.

An overpass kill by sophomore middle blocker Natalia Brandlin and then another kill by Brandlin off a quick set by sophomore setter Mia Bertolone put the Lasers ahead, 20-16.

MiraCosta got within 23-22 late, but a kill by sophomore outside hitter Tessa Marocco moved IVC to set point and the Lasers took the set two points later.

Irvine Valley led throughout the third set. The Lasers raced out to a 18-10 advantage. MiraCosta made a late run and even pulled within three points (22-19), but a kill by sophomore middle blocker Avery Bennett stoped the Spartan run and Irvine Valley closed the match out soon after.

Marocco led IVC with 13 kills. Bertolone had 32 assists and 13 digs, Brandlin finished with seven kills and hit .400, freshman opposite Ava Guenther chipped in eight kills and 10 digs and freshman libero Audrey Fowler ended with 18 digs.

The Lasers will play again on Friday, traveling to San Diego Mesa for a quad event. IVC takes on MiraCosta again at 2 p.m. and then takes on host Mesa at 5 p.m.