The Irvine Valley men’s volleyball team bounced back from its most disappointing loss of the season with a straight-game victory over San Diego Mesa in a Pacific Coast Conference match at home.
The Lasers came out on top, 30-16, 30-24, 30-25.
Irvine Valley was swept at Grossmont in its previous match on March 23.
Freshman outside hitter Peter Johnson (Foothill High) led the way on Friday with 14 kills and three blocks.
Freshman middle blocker Bryan Simmons (Valencia High) added 11 kills, freshman outside hitter Marcus Fernandez (Santa Margarita High) had 12 kills, freshman middle blocker Ted Slaughter (Corona del Mar High) chipped in seven kills and three blocks and freshman libero Sean Grubbs (Newport Harbor High) finished with six digs and three aces.
Freshman setter Tyler Rex (Esperanza High) had 41 assists.
The Lasers cruised in game one, but had trouble putting San Diego Mesa away in the next two games.
The second game was tied, 18-18, when IVC went on a 6-1 run to take control. A kill by Johnson gave the Lasers a 24-19 cushion. San Diego Mesa climbed to within 27-24 on a tip kill by Will Capistrano.
But the Lasers reeled off the next three points to take the game.
Slaughter put the game away with a kill.
Irvine Valley led for nearly all of game three, but it was never easy.
San Diego Mesa actually pulled even at 22-22 on an IVC hitting error.
Irvine Valley regained some focus, scored three straight points to go up, 25-22, and never looked back.
The win improved Irvine Valley’s record to 10-3 overall and 5-2 in conference play.
The Lasers went into the night tied for second place in the conference standings with Grossmont.
The Lasers play at Golden West next Wednesday and then host conference leading Orange Coast next Friday.