Sophomore women's indoor and beach volleyball player Anna Unke and men's golfer Caleb Humber were named Irvine Valley's Orange Empire Conference Character Champion award winners for 2019-20 as part of the athletic department's annual awards.
The award is given to the student-athletes who display the following values; sportsmanship, respect, caring, fairness, civility, honesty, integrity and responsibility shown through a specific action, ideally directed toward an opponent during competition.
The criteria also includes the action of putting the team and teammates before oneself while acting as a positive role model. The inaugural award was given out following the 2009-10 academic year.
Unke was a two-year starter in both indoor and beach volleyball at IVC, and a stalwart on for three final four teams. She was a two-time IVC Scholar Athlete, the 2019 IVC Community Ambassador Award winner, and captained the 2020 beach team during this past season, which was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A 2018 graduate of Crean Lutheran High in Irvine, Unke came to IVC as part of the Early College program, and has already graduated Magna Cum Laude from IVC with an Associate Arts for Transfer degree in Kinesiology.
As a member of the Irvine Valley College honors program, Unke parlayed these athletic and academic successes into a combined full athletic grant-in-aid for both indoor and beach at Cal State Bakersfield, where she will major in Nutrition.
Off the court, she is still engaged in her community. Unke works for her church in youth ministry, and was the assistant coach for Crean Lutheran's girls beach volleyball team.
She was also chosen by her teammates to represent them on the IVC Athlete's Executive Council.
Unke shined both on the sand and indoors for the Lasers.
Last spring (2019), Unke helped lead IVC beach team to an unblemished Orange Empire Conference record and a third-place finish at the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship in Chula Vista.
The Lasers ended the year ranked No. 3 in the state in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) final poll. The Laser beach squad was named the team of the year as part of the IVC athletic department's 19th Annual Awards.
Irvine Valley ended with a record of 17-8 overall and won a conference title with a mark of 10-0. IVC ended up going 15-1 against community college opponents in 2019.
Unke teamed with fellow freshman Gabriela Griego on the sand last season. Unke and Griego finished fifth at the conference pairs championships last April. The duo was even better at the South Region pairs championship, taking fourth to move on to the state event individually.
And Unke and Griego went undefeated and captured their pool on the first day of the state pairs event before being knocked out the next day by IVC teammates Lea Kruse and Renata Bath 21-16, 21-18, in the round of 16.
Unke and the IVC beach team were ranked No. 2 in the AVCA preason poll this spring and it looked like the Lasers would have another great shot at making a state run before the season was halted.
Unk was teamed with sophomore Alaina Gendale this season. The duo was playing primarily at the No. 2 or 3 position out of the five teams in the IVC lineup.
Indoors, Unke had a fabulous sophomore year for the Lasers. She helped IVC to the CCCAA State Championship both her freshman and sohomore seasons. IVC had a record of 48-3 over the last two seasons.
After playing primarily as a defensive specialist her freshman year, Unke was the starting libero for IVC in 2019.
Irvine Valley went 27-1 and its only loss was in five sets to Feather River in five dramatic sets in the state title match in Chula Vista last spring. Unke finished with 18 digs in that contest and over the three matches and 15 sets that IVC played at state, Unke totaled 59 digs.
She was named second team all-conference in 2019. Unke finished the year with 349 digs and a 3.71 digs average. Both numbers were tops on the team.
Humble was a two-time starter and captain of the IVC men's golf program.
He carried a cumulative GPA of 3.28, is a 2x IVC Scholar-Athlete, and will graduate in summer with an AA in Liberal Studies - Teacher Education.
Humble, originally from Colorado, was all about community and service in the local area and as a part of Irvine Valley.
When asking for info from students about why their coach nominated them for the Character Champion award, this is what we received from Humble.
"It all started in high school when I had the opportunity to serve my peers as Student Body President of the entire school," he said. "It represented a big responsibility on my part, but I reveled in it. I also started my volunteer service as part of the National Honors Society, and serving at my local elementary school and helping out the kids who need special attention.
"Once I got to IVC, I saw the same opportunities. I believe in putting others' needs before my own and it shows with my friends, teammates, and family. I am on my way to becoming a secondary school educator because I want to give future generations the same experiences I've had, allowing them to grow them as individuals."
Humble worked close to 20 hours a week, helping out at Santiago Hills Elementary in Irvine. His goal was to help young students develop the tool to be successful in the classroom.
"IVC coach Ailaim Newkirk refers to me as the IVC Golf 'Team Mom' – it's all in good fun, but it's a role I embrace," he said. "I just enjoy helping the people around me grow.
"Lastly, although I am close to 1,000 miles away from Colorado, I hold close ties to my church back home. Every Sunday I watch the full service online and text with a men's group where we can build a network of support for one another."
Humble was one of the top IVC players in 2020. He carded a couple of leading scores for the Lasers.
On Feb. 4, the the Lasers finished fourth out of 10 teams at the OEC Tee-Off Classic at Candlewood Country Club in Whittier with a team score of 387.
Humble led the way with a score of 73, which was the fifth-lowest score of the event.
And a week later, Irvine Valley finished tied for fifth out of 16 team at the Eagle Golf Classic at Soboba Springs.
The event featured many of the top squads in the state.
Irvine Valley tied with Mt. San Jacinto and Ventura for fifth at 382.
The Lasers had five players shoot in the 70's on the day. And Humble led IVC with a score of 74.
On Feb. 24, Humble also shot a 72 at the Riverside Iinvitational at the Victoria Club. IVC tied third in the event. Humble tied for the fifth best individual score on the day.
Through two Orange Empire Conference matches before the season was cancelled, Humble helped lead IVC to a 7-3 record and he had a scoring average of 75.5.
