The Irvine Valley women's basketball team had a special season last year, making the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship semifinals.
The 2022-23 squad is continuing that success under first-year head coach Jason Garey.
The Lasers won their eighth game in a row, beating Palo Verde, 72-44, Tuesday night at home.
The IVC team to start this well was the 2019-20 squad with a 7-0 mark.
"It is a testament to how hard the team has worked to get ready for the year," Garey said. "We hope to keep it going."
Irvine Valley jumped out to a great start on Tuesday, leading 19-8, at the end of the first quarter and then, 38-16, at the half.
IVC played solid defense, limiting Palo Verde to just 15.0 percent shooting (3 of 20) in the opening half.
Things were closer in the second half, but with Irvine Valley already streaking out to a big lead, the Lasers still won by 28.
Irvine Valley out-scored Palo Verde, 34-28, in the second half.
The Lasers improved their record to 8-0 overall, while Palo Verde fell to 1-8.
Irvine Valley had three players score in double figures. Freshman guard Christen Ziska led the team with 16 points, eight rebounds and four steals.
Freshman guard Trasara Alexander added 15 points and seven rebounds and sophomore guard Kennedy Pucci contributed 11 points, four rebounds and six assists.
The Lasers get a break from action until they host their own Irvine Valley Classic next Friday and Saturday. The Lasers open with a game against Modesto at 5 p.m. on Friday.
