Irvine Valley's men's volleyball team begins its 2023 season with a little bit of a new look, but what is expected to be another strong squad.
The Lasers are led by first-year head coach Rory Jones. But Jones is no stranger to the program.
He was part of a state championship team at IVC in 2007 as a player and has been the top assistant on the men's indoor side for Ryan Windisch the last four years.
IVC finished with a record of 17-5 overall and took second in the Orange Empire Conference at 5-2 last season.
The Lasers made the California Community College Athletic Association Championship semifinals before losing to eventual winner Orange Coast.
IVC returns a number of players, including first team all-conference libero Adam Schulte, middle blocker Julio Gutierrez and outside hitter Demetre Gossett.
Schulte, who was a state all-tournament selection last season, led the conference in total digs with 201 and was second in digs per set at 2.79.
Gossett averaged 3.79 kills for IVC in a shortened 2020 season that was shut down due to COVID.
Antelope Valley had a record of 7-10 overall and 5-7 in the Western State Conference last season.
Four returners earned all-conference honors led by setter Connor Wachala, who was named to the first team.
He averaged 8.06 assists per game for the Marauders on the year.
Luis Guerra was selected to the second team and Jah'mi Jeter and Chance Cox were each picked as honorable mention in the conference.
After tonight's match-up, Irvine Valley plays again on Saturday in the John Altobelli Memorial Quad event at Orange Coast.
The Lasers play Long Beach City at 10 a.m. and then take on El Camino at 4 p.m.
