The Orange Empire Conference men's volleyball schedule starts this week and Irvine Valley can't wait to get started.
Unfortunately, IVC's first match of the season, scheduled at Fullerton on Wednesday was cancelled due to health and safety protocols. The Lasers are hoping to be able to host Fullerton on Friday. More information will be available soon about that match.
It will be more than a year since OEC men's volleyball teams actually competed in the court. The squads had finished their non-conference schedules in March of 2020 and were one match into OEC play when the season was halted due to COVID.
The OEC teams were all close last year too. Orange Coast had a record of 7-4, Santiago Canyon was also 7-4, Golden West was 7-5, Irvine Valley was 6-7 and Fullerton had a mark of 5-6.
Coaches have been working hard with the great student athletes and are ready for the start of a new season this week.
Irvine Valley coach Ryan Windisch, who helped lead IVC all the way to the state final in 2019, is ready to be back in the gym.
"I am most excited for the boys to step on the court and put on a jersey again," he said "After losing a season last year, they have not had any organized competition in over a year. The feeling of competing with your teammates is something that cannot be explained. I cannot wait to see the joy that playing again brings not only our team but the other teams as well."
Irvine Valley's top returners include freshman outside hitter Colin Chillingworth, freshman middle blocker Trevor Weinert, freshman opposite Garret Schnitker and sophomore outside hitter Max Wise.
Windisch also said to keep an eye on freshman outside hitter JT Demure, freshman libero Adam Schulte and freshman outside hitter Karl Stenlund.
Chillingworth was recently mentioned as a two-year player to watch by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
The 6-4 outside hitter from Foothill High, averaged 2.15 kills per set last season.
Schnitker, a 6-6 opposite out of Esperanza High was a solid contributior for IVC in 2020 and Weinert, a 6-3 middle blocker, averaged 1.11 kills per set and hit .342 for the Lasers in 2020.
Windisch said that the depth of the team will be important. He plans on getting contributions from a number of players.
"At IVC we take pride in our strength as an entire unit," Windisch said. "From the starting group to the redshirts we are confident that everyone is all in on a common goal. The brotherhood these guys have created even during a pandemic is something to be remembered. Now to get to compete with one another is going to make it even more special."
Irvine Valley plans on live streaming home men's volleyball matches at facebook.com/IrvineValleyCollegeAthletics
