Irvine Valley's men's tennis team is coming off of the best season in school history.
The Lasers won the program's first state title in 2015 and had its first state individual title as well with sophomores Max Rumeau and Valentin Baize winning a doubles crown.
IVC won its third straight Orange Empire Conference title and had several players sign with four-year schools.
It looks like the 2016 squad will be just as good.
The Lasers opened up their season on Thursday with a loss, but it was a 5-4 defeat to a nationally-ranked NAIA school.
Irvine Valley lost on the road at No. 6 San Diego Christian. The match went down to the wire.
"We played really well," IVC coach Ross Duncan said. "I was impressed. There were a lot of bright spots."
The Lasers held their own in singles, winning three of six matches. They dropped two of three doubles sets.
Freshman Juan Navarro won, 7-6, 6-3, at No. 4 singles, freshman Octave Bellet came out on top, 4-6, 6-3, 5-2, at No. 5 singles and sophomore Scott Paz won, 6-4, 6-1, at No. 6 singles for IVC.
Irvine Valley also won the No. 3 doubles match with sophomore Bruno Figlia and Navarro winning, 9-7.
Irvine Valley will be back in action on Tuesday, hosting another four-year school - Hope International at 2 p.m.
