Irvine Valley had three players named to California Community College Women's Volleyball 2019 All-State and All-Region teams.
Coach Tom Pestolesi was also picked as the SoCal Region Coach of the Year after guiding the Lasers to a 23-0 record during the regular season, No. 1 ranking in California and the program's third straight Orange Empire Conference title. It is the second time in three years that Pestolesi has earned the honor.
Irvine Valley sophomore middle blocker Kristin Austin was selected a American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American as well as first team all-state.
Austin led the state in hitting percentage for much of the season. She had a hitting percentage of .500 and averaged 2.97 kills and 0.65 blocks per set during the regular season.
She was also named co-Most Valuable Player of the Orange Empire Conference.
Sophomore setter Truth Hafey and sophomore outside hitter Lea Kruse were each picked as All-Southern California Region picks for the Lasers.
Hafey topped the state and conference in assists per set 12.65 during the regular season.
Kruse has been named a co-MVP of the conference for the last two years.
She averaged 3.72 kills per set, which was third-best in the OEC, and led the conference in aces at 0.70 per set. She also chipped in 3.59 digs per set, which put her 10th in conference.
Irvine Valley, which improved its record to 24-0 with a sweep of San Diego City in the first round of the CCCAA SoCal Regional Playoffs on Tuesday night at home, plays again on Saturday. The Lasers host Orange Coast at 6 p.m. in the second round with a trip to the state tournament on the line.
