The Irvine Valley men's volleyball team tackled a tough first set and then handled the rest of the match in a 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 victory over Fullerton at home Wednesday.
Irvine Valley, ranked fifth in the state, improved its record to 4-1 overall. Fullerton went to 3-2 overall.
The first set was back and forth until the Lasers moved ahead 22-17 on a kill by freshman setter Bryce Nohava and then an ace bye freshman libero Cage Gonzalez.
An overpass kill by Nohava gave Irvine Valley a 24-20 advantage.
Fullerton rallied and got within 24-23 on an overpass kill by No. 19.
But the Lasers ended the set with a finish by freshman outside hitter Jack McGrew off the block.
In the second set, Irvine Valley pulled ahead, 24-20, on a kill by McGrew and the finished the set with an ace by freshman outside hitter Tucker McClain to the back right corner.
IVC trailed, 10-9, in the third set, but then rolled after that.
The Lasers scored six of the next eight points. A kill by freshman middle blocker gave Irvine Valley a 16-13 lead.
Irvine Valley went up, 19-14, after Fullerton served out.
Freshman middle blocker Joshua Damianopoulos came throught with a kill to move Irvine Valley to 23-18 and after a kill by McGrew, IVC was at 24-20.
Kaufman ended the match with an ace when his serve hit the top of the net and fell over.
Irvine Valley hit .293 as a team for the night.
McGrew led the Lasers with 11 kills, five digs and three blocks.
Damianopoulous added seven kills and a block and Nohava ran the offense with 26 assists.
Irvine Valley plays again Friday at El Camino at 6 p.m.
