Irvine Valley's men's volleyball team, ranked No. 1 in the state, ran its win streak to six with a gritty four-set victory over No. 7 El Camino on Wednesday night at home.
IVC came out on top, 25-19, 25-21, 18-25, 25-16.
The Lasers, who improved their record to 9-1 overall, received 19 kills from freshman middle blocker Matt August, including several key ones in the fourth set when he was moved to the opposite position.
August also had six blocks, six digs and one ace in the contest.
Freshman outside hitter Brennan To had nine kills and five digs, sophomore outside hitter Ruben Lopez and freshman outside hitter Spencer Alden each contributed six kills and sophomore outside hitter Cody Hermanson chipped in five kills.
Sophomore libero Josh Evers finished with six digs and one ace and freshman setter Austin McBain had 43 assists.
Up, 21-18, in the first set, IVC closed it out with a 4-1 run.
August and freshman outside hitter Patrick Furlong ended the set with a combo block.
The Lasers jumped out to a 14-8 lead in the second set. And then used a 3-0 run capped by an ace by sophomore libero Josh Evers to go ahead, 17-10.
A kill and then a block by August gave Irvine Valley a 20-13 advantage.
El Camino (5-5) rallied and pulled to within 23-19 on a kill by PJ Tulikihihifo. And the Warriors were within 24-21 after a block by Cesar Medina.
But Irvine Valley finished the set on the next point with a kill by To.
El Camino led the whole way in the third set. A kill by Medina ended the set and gave El Camino hope.
But August stepped up big for the Lasers in the fourth set.
Ahead, 3-2, Irvine Valley went on a 6-2 run to take control.
El Camino hung around and was back within two points at 16-14 on a kill by Medina.
Irvine Valley picked up its play and responded by scoring seven of the next eight points. Hermanson had a kill, freshman outside hitter Miles Hamro had an overpass kill and August had a block for a point.
A hitting error by El Camino gave Irvine Valley a 23-15 lead.
The Lasers won the match three points later on an overpass kill by August.
Irvine Valley starts Orange Empire Conference play on Friday with a home match against Santiago Canyon at 6 p.m.
