Irvine Valley's women's volleyball team had its season come to an end last Saturday night in Santa Barbara.
The Lasers, seeded eighth, lost in four sets to top-seeded Santa Barbara City in the second round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs.
Santa Barbara City came out on top, 28-26, 25-22, 17-25, 25-21.
Irvine Valley was the defending state champion.
Irvine Valley still won its third Orange Empire Conference title in a row this season. And the Lasers did it with a handful of returning players in new roles and a solid group of freshmen.
The Lasers lost seven players to four-year schools after the 2014, including four to Division 1 programs.
"I am so proud of everything this team accomplished this season," IVC coach Tom Pestolesi said. "It was a great group of kids and they all improved with each and every match."
Irvine Valley had a set point in the opening set before Santa Barbara City earned the 28-26 win.
The second set was tight until the Vaqueros went on a 5-2 run late.
The Lasers dominated the third set, jumping out to leads of 12-6, 16-8, and, 20-12. Freshman right side Olivia Aguilar had five kills and a block for Irvine Valley during the set.
Santa Barbara shot out to a 17-8 lead in the fourth set and was later up, 21-13. But Irvine Valley scored five points in a row to make it 21-18.
But Santa Barbara pulled out the win shortly after.
Irvine Valley's season ended with a record of 16-6 overall.
Aguilar finished with 16 kills, sophomore outside hitter Kayla Scheevel had 13 kills, 25 digs and three aces, sophomore outside hitter Hannah Matt ended with nine kills and sophomore libero Emily Reinking added 23 digs for Irvine Valley. Sophomore setter Jenna Olbright ran the offense with 45 assists.
"I thought Santa Barbara did a nice job of keeping us off balance," Pestolesi said.
Santa Barbara City, who was paced by Katelynn Womack's 19 kills, improved its record to 25-3 overall. The 25 wins is the second most in program history.
The Vaqueros host No. 4 Canyons in a regional final on Tuesday night.
