Lasers face crucial test
After an easy win versus Saddleback and a tough loss to Cypress, the Irvine Valley College women’s volleyball team heads into a crucial match tonight against Orange Coast College at 6 p.m.
The Lasers, ranked 11th in the state, were swept by Cypress last Friday, 25-21, 25-20 and 25-20. With the loss the Lasers hold their own fate in their hands but will need some help.
If the Lasers, 12-3 overall and 8-3 in Orange Empire Conference play, beat OCC tonight, they will be tied with the Pirates. If Cypress loses to Santa Ana, there will be a three-way tie for first between Cypress, OCC and IVC. In this scenario, each team would have beaten the other once this season creating an exact tie.
OCC’s Poerava Gantt leads the team in kills with 119 in 30 games, an average of four per game. Nikki Osuna leads the conference in digs with 152 in 27 games.
Tonight’s game versus the Pirates will be a tough one, they are 15-2 overall on the season and in Orange Empire Conference play are 9-2.
Last Wednesday the Lasers swept Saddleback, 25-12, 25-18, 25-18.
Katie Wilkerson led the attack for the Lasers with 13 kills. Caitlin Segert and Sarah Atilano had nine kills each.
Mellissa Chavez led the Gauchos with seven kills, while Nichole May had 10 digs.
Saddleback now drops its record to 3-13 overall and 1-10 in OEC play, tied with Santa Ana for last place.
On Friday, the Lasers will host Santa Ana at 6 p.m.
Teulia Palm who has 60 kills in 25 games played leads the Dons attack.