Former standout Irvine Valley men's volleyball player Kaina Alvarez is about to start a path with his new squad.
Alvarez signed with NCAA Division I Cal State Northridge this past fall.
He joined a squad that is ranked 17th in the nation.
The Matadors were set to open against No. 7 Grand Canyon Thursday at the Asics Invitational in Santa Barbara at 4:30 p.m.
Northridge will play the NJIT Highlanders on Friday and then take on No. 20 George Mason and former Irvine Valley star assistant and now head coach with the Patriots Jay Hosack on Saturday.
Alvarez was the starting setter at Irvine Valley last season and helped the Lasers finish with a record of 16-3 overall and 7-1 in conference.
The Lasers, guided by coach Rory Jones, were ranked No. 1 for a good part of the season.
IVC shared the OEC championship with Orange Coast.
The Lasers then reached the California Community College Athletic Association state semifinals.
Irvine Valley won its first five matches of the season and later had a seven-match win streak.
Alvarez was named first team all-conference after leading the Lasers in assists with 547 and assists per set at 8.16.
He posted a season-high 42 assists against San Diego Mesa on Feb. 22.
Alvarez came to IVC after redshirting at the University of Charleston.
He played in high school at Iolani in Hawaii and was helped the Raiders to a championship in 2019.
