Irvine Valley's women's volleyball team got off to slow starts in the first two sets in its Orange Empire Conference home opener Wednesday night against Riverside.
But the Lasers, ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in Southern California, had no trouble finding their groove to put away the Tigers in three straight sets, 25-18, 25-11, 25-6.
It was Irvine Valley's eighth straight three-set victory and improved its record to 9-0 overall and 2-0 in conference.
The Lasers opened conference last Friday with a sweep at Golden West.
Riverside's record slipped to 4-7 overall and 1-1 in conference.
Irvine Valley used a 13-1 run to break open a close first set and take a 22-9 advantage.
Kills by freshman opposite Juju Cannon, freshman middle blocker Hannah Matt, sophomore outside hitter Kobi Pekich and sophomore outside hitter Shaelyn Perez along with a Riverside hitting error capped the run.
Irvine Valley led, 23-12, after a kill by sophomore middle blocker Annie Mitchem.
Riverside scored the next six points in a row to pull within 23-18. Naomi Tilford had two kills during the RCC streak.
But a Riverside service error and then a block by sophomore outside hitter Marisa Doran ended the set for Irvine Valley.
Riverside led early on in the second set. RCC was ahead, 8-6, before Irvine Valley went on a 10-0 run. Sophomore outside hitter Marisa Doran capped the run with a kill to give IVC a 16-8 lead.
After Riverside scored a point on an Irvine Valley service error, the Lasers finished off the set by scoring nine of the next 11 points.
Sophomore setter Hailey Jones, Matt and Cannon each contributed kills. A block by Mitchem and Cannon sealed the set.
It was all Irvine Valley in the third and final set. The Lasers jumped out to a 13-2 lead and never looked back.
A kill by sophomore outside hitter Carleigh Petersen gave Irvine Valley a 17-5 advantage.
An ace by freshman setter Makani Wall and then a kill by Cannon set up match point.
And Perez put the match away with a kill.
Irvine Valley got a standout match from Pekich, who finished with 10 kills and seven digs. She had her 10 kills with no errors in 13 attempts.
Cannon also had a super hitting night. She ended with eight kills with no errors in 13 attempts. Matt also recorded three blocks.
Mitchem, Doran and Matt each finished with six kills. Mitchem also had five digs, three blocks and two aces and Doran chipped in five digs. Freshman libero Kayla Scheevel finished with six digs and Jones produced 40 assists.
Irvine Valley plays again on Friday, hosting Santa Ana in a conference match at 6 p.m.
