Irvine Valley's men's tennis team earned its best win in Orange Empire Conference play so far on Thursday.
The Lasers beat their fourth straight conference team, taking down rival Saddleback, 9-0, on the road.
Irvine Valley is ranked No. 1 in Southern California and the defending state champion. Saddleback was ranked No. 8 in the preseason poll in So. Cal.
Irvine Valley has now shut out Cypress, Fullerton, Riverside and Saddleback in conference.
The Lasers have a record of 9-2 with the two losses coming to four-year schools.
IVC won five of the six matches in straight sets. One match went to three sets and Irvine Valley freshman Juan Navarro prevailed, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, over Vance La at the No. 3 position.
Irvine Valley sophomore Sam Cohen beat Saddleback's Riko Goto, 7-5, 6-2, at the No. 1 spot.
IVC sophomores Scott Paz (No. 5 singles) and Kevin Pham (No. 6 singles) each gave up just four games in straight-set victories.
In doubles, Irvine Valley's team of sophomore Bruno Figlia, who also won at No. 4 singles for the Lasers, and Navarro, breezed 8-0, at the No. 3 position.
IVC's team of Cohen and freshman Javier Callejo won, 8-5, at No. 1 doubles and the team of sophomores Paz and Flavien Raveau came out on top, 8-6, at No. 2 doubles.
Saddleback's record dropped to 8-4 overall and 2-2 in conference.
Irvine Valley hosts another big conference match next Tuesday, hosting Orange Coast at 2 p.m. Orange Coast handed Saddleback its only other conference defeat, 7-2.
Irvine Valley 9, Saddleback 0
Singles
1) Sam Cohen (IVC) def. Riko Goto (SC), 7-5, 6-2
2) Javier Callejo (IVC) def. Connor Mengert (SC), 6-3, 4-0 ret.
3) Juan Navarro (IVC) def. Vance La (SC), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
4) Bruno Figlia (IVC) def. Mike Park (SC), 6-2, 6-4
5) Scott Paz (IVC) def. Zuriel Aaron (SC), 6-1, 6-1
6) Kevin Pham (IVC) def. Kian Saidi (SC), 6-3, 6-1
Doubles
1) Cohen/Callejo (IVC) def. Goto/Park (SC), 8-5
2) Paz/Flavien Raveau (IVC) def. Saidi/La (SC), 8-6
3) Figlia/Navarro (IVC) def. John Elkan/Aaron (SC), 8-0
