New Irvine Valley head coach Anna Unke will guide the Lasers for the first time on Friday at 5 p.m. at College of the Canyons.
And it should be one of the best matches of the early season.
Irvine Valley won the Orange Empire Conference title and finished with a record of 20-5 overall.
Canyons made the CCCAA State Tournament.
COC and IVC met in the before also facing off in the 2022 CCCAA Southern California Regional playoffs later in the fall.
Irvine Valley defeated Canyons, 25-12, 25-20, 25-20, but the Cougars came back and beat the Lasers in the postseason, 25-17, 25-22, 15-25, 28-26 at IVC to clinch a trip to state.
Heading into Friday night's seaon-opening match, Canyons and Irvine Valley have met 12 times over the past 10 seasons, including thrice in the postseason (2014, 2017, 2022). The Lasers hold a 9-3 advantage over that span.
IVC returns a number of sophomores from last year's team, including outside hitter Tessa Marocco. She was named the co-OEC Most Valuable Player and also an all-region selection.
Marocco averaged 4.08 kills per set and 2.43 digs per set. Other sophomore returners include setter Mia Bertolone, Avery Bennett, Olivia Ortega and Felicia Bonus.
Bertolone averaged 4.79 assists per set, while Bennett averaged 0.81 blocks per set.
Bennett was named second team all-conference.
The Lasers also picked up standout sophomore middle blocker Natalia Brandlin.
Irvine Valley will play again next Wednesday at Mt. SAC
