Irvine Valley's women's volleyball team had its nearly two-year run of wins ended in the 2018 regular season finale at Cypress on Wednesday night.
The Lasers, ranked No. 1 in the state, fell in five sets to No. 14 Cypress, 25-18, 17-25, 15-25, 25-16, 15-8.
It was Irvine Valley's first loss this season and snapped a 45-match win streak dating back to the start of the 2017 campaign.
Irvine Valley's record fell to 18-1 overall and 14-1 in the Orange Empire Conference.
It was a big win for Cypress for a number of reasons. The Chargers also moved up into the second spot in the final OEC standings for playoff purposes.
Cypress improved its record to 17-8 overall and 12-4 in conference.
Irvine Valley knew it was going to have its hands full with the Chargers. Cypress nearly knocked off the Lasers the first time the two teams met on Oct. 12 at IVC.
Irvine Valley dropped the first two sets to Cypress, but bounced back for a dramatic 24-26, 21-25, 25-23, 15-11 victory.
Cypress got off to a quick start on Wednesday as well, taking the first set over the Lasers.
Irvine Valley rolled in the next two sets, but Cypress responded in the fourth and never looked back in the fifth set for the upset win.
IVC hit just .262 on the night. The Lasers ranked second in the state in hitting percentage going into the contest.
Freshman outside hitter Lea Kruse led IVC with 16 kills, nine digs and two aces.
Sophomore outside hitter Alyssa Vortouni had 10 kills, 11 digs and five blocks, freshman middle blocker Kristin Austin ended with 10 kills, hit .571 and added three blocks.
Freshman outside hitter Alaina Gendale chipped in nine kills and 12 digs, sophomore libero Renata Bath had 15 digs and two aces and freshman setter Truth Hafey ended with 46 assists and 10 digs.
Irvine Valley now awaits the playoff seedings, which are expected to be released Thursday afternoon.
The Lasers are still expected to be the No. 1 seed in the South Region and will have a home match next Tuesday night.
