Irvine Valley's 2019-20 Annual Athletic Awards continues with the coaches of the year.
They are Martin McGrogan for men's soccer and Tom Pestolesi with women's indoor volleyball.
Both provided guidance for student-athletes and led each of their squads to tremendous seasons.
Irvine Valley's women's volleyball squad had a record of 27-1 and didn't lose its first match of the 2019 campaign until the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship final.
The Lasers were so close to a perfect season.
Irvine Valley battled to a fifth set with Feather River in the championship match, but it wasn't enough, falling, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20, 26-28, 15-11, last fall in Chula Vista.
Irvine Valley still won its third Orange Empire Conference title in a row and had honors, accolades and fun throughout the year. The squad represented Irvine Valley at the highest level.
The Lasers lost in the title match despite 15 kills by sophomore outside hitter Gabriela Griego, 14 kills plus 23 digs and four aces by sophomore outside hitter Lea Kruse, 12 kills by sophomore middle blocker Kristin Austin, eight kills and 20 digs by sophomore outside hitter Alaina Gendale, and 18 digs from sophomore libero Anna Unke.
Irvine Valley had a record of 48-3 overall and went 30-1 in the Orange Empire Conference over the last two seasons indoors.
Irvine Valley was 75-4 in sets going into last fall's state tourney against all opponents.
IVC eliminated the 2018 state champ in American River and the 2016 champion Fresno city. But then it was Feather River taking out the 2017 champ Lasers.
Several Lasers earned honors, including Pestolesi.
Pestolesi was picked as the So. Cal. Region Coach of the Year. It was the second time in three years that he earned the honor.
Austin was selected a American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American as well as first team all-state.
She was also named co-Most Valuable Player of the Orange Empire Conference.
Sophomore setter Truth Hafey and Kruse were each selected All-Southern California Region for the Lasers.
Kruse was a co-MVP of the conference for the last two years.
As the year ended, five Irvine Valley players earned NCAA Division I scholarships with Hafey headed to Georgia State, Kruse going to the University of Hawaii for beach, Austin headed to Cal State Fullerton, Unke going to Cal State Bakersfield for indoor and beach volleyball and Gendale heading to Cal State Bakersfield for beach.
After playing a tough regular season schedule, the Irvine Valley's men's soccer, guided by McGrogran, made the California Community College Athletic Association SoCal Regional Playoffs.
IVC fell in the first round at Orange Coast after being seeded 12th.
Irvine Valley finished the year with a record of 8-8-7 overall and went 4-5-3 in the Orange Empire Conference.
Six of the seven teams from the Orange Empire Conference made the playoffs.
Irvine Valley was led by its top scoring duo of sophomore forward Benjamin Asabi and freshman forward Max Kleinhammes. Each were named first team all-conference.
Asabi and Kleinhammes led conference players with 11 goals apiece during the regular season. Asabi added two assists.
Asabi finished with 24 points and Kleinhammes had 22 points for the Lasers.
Sophomore keeper Nathan King was one of the top goalies in the conference and earned second team honors.
Sophomore midfielder Gibae Kim was also picked as a second-team player for the Lasers.
But Irvine Valley had several standout players, including freshman midfielders Dowan Kim, Idi Diallo, Izzy Abdelkader and Joshua Lummis, freshman defenders Garrett Hayes, Christopher Osuna and Kyler Doverspike and sophomore defender Jared Ellis.
Asabi, Gibae Kim and Dowan Kim each signed to continue their soccer and academic careers at NAIA Life Pacific University in San Dimas.
