Irvine Valley's women's volleyball lost out on a shot to move even further up the Orange Empire Conference standings on Friday night at home.
The Lasers ran into a streaking Golden West team and fell in three straight, tough sets, 27-25, 26-24, 25-19.
Friday night was Irvine Valley's annual Dig Pink match with proceeds going toward supporting breast cancer awareness.
The win, which was Golden West's fourth straight, improved the Rustlers' record to 14-4 overall and 10-3 in conference.
Golden West, ranked No. 23 in the state, stayed in second place in the standings and two matches behind Cypress for first place.
No. 25 Irvine Valley, which had won two matches in a row, saw its record fall to 11-6 overall and 9-5 in conference.
The Lasers hit just .189 as a team on the night. Sophomore outside hitter Lucee Fitzgerald and sophomore middle blocker Hailey Riden each had seven kills. Fitzgerald also had 18 digs. Freshman setter Savanah Schroeder added 16 assists.
Irvine Valley had its chances to win each of the first two sets. IVC held set points in each set.
The Lasers tied the first set at 22-22 after a Golden West hitting error and the Lasers tied it again at 23-23 on a kill by Riden.
The Lasers then got to set point at 24-23 on another kill by Riden.
Golden West answered to tie it at 24-24. IVC gained another set point at 25-24 after a kill by sophomore opposite Juju Cannon.
But Golden West captured the next three points to take the set. Cassidy Paperny had a kill, Melissa Martinez tipped a ball for a winner and then Paperny closed out the set with a kill.
IVC was right there at the end of the second set with Golden West as well. The Lasers trailed, 23-20, but scored four points in a row to take a 24-23 advantage. Fitzgerald came through with a kill, freshman middle blocker Kylie Miller had an ace, freshman right side Diamonique Brogan and Riden combined for a block and Miller served another ace to give IVC set point.
But the Lasers couldn't close it out.
Golden West scored the final three points of the set. Ashleigh Atsaros and Paperny had kills and Kate Stanjevich blocked a ball for the set win.
Golden West got out in front midway through the third set and never looked back.
The Rustlers led, 19-11, after a kill by Paperny.
Irvine Valley got within 22-19 after two Golden West hitting errors in a row. Golden West won the next three points, however. The Rustlers ended the match on a kill by Stanjevich.
The Lasers play again next Monday at Fullerton at 6 p.m. in a conference match. The Lasers then host Santa Ana next Wednesday at 6 p.m.
