Schedule set for Volleyball State Championships at IVC on Thursday
Apr 23, 2008
The Irvine Valley men's volleyball will try to defend its state title beginning Thursday night at the California Community College Athletic Association Men's Volleyball Championship tournament, which is being held at Irvine Valley.
The tournament is at IVC for the second time in three years. Irvine Valley won last year's title at Santa Monica College.
After two playoff regional finals were played Tuesday night, the lineup is set for Thursday's state championship semifinals.
In the first semifinal, Orange Coast, which finished second in the Pacific Coast Conference, will meet Santa Monica, which won the Western State Conference, at 5:30 p.m.
Orange Coast moved into the semifinals with a four-game win over Santa Barbara at home Tuesday night.
And in the second semifinal, Long Beach City, which finished second in the Western State Conference, meets defending state champion Irvine Valley, which won the Pacific Coast Conference, at 8 p.m.
IVC defeated Long Beach City in five games for the state title last season. Long Beach City captured the state crown two years ago at Irvine Valley.
Long Beach City defeated Palomar in four games Tuesday night to move into the state semifinals on Thursday.
Irvine Valley enters the tournament with a record of 16-2 overall and as the No. 1 seed. It has won three straight conference titles (one in the Orange Empire Conference and two in the Pacific Coast Conference).
This is the Lasers' fourth straight post-season appearance. They have won two previous state titles (1993, 2007). IVC is led by two-time Pacific Coast Conference player of the year Peter Johnson along with freshman middle blocker Nick Martus and sophomore libero Kaleo Baxter.
Irvine Valley swept Long Beach City at IVC earlier this season.
Santa Monica, which is the No. 2 seed in the tournament, has a record of 11-5 overall. Santa Monica is looking for its first ever state title. The team is led by Western State Conference player of the year Collin Williamson.
Long Beach City had its string of four straight Western State Conference titles come to an end this season. Long Beach, which is led by sophomore outside hitter Joseph Strotman, has a record of 14-4 overall. The Vikings have won six state championships (1976, 1980, 1982, 1985, 2004, 2006).
Orange Coast has a record of 14-6 overall. The Pirates lost in the state championship semifinals a year ago to Long Beach City in four games. Orange Coast has won two previous state titles (1991, 1994). The Pirates are paced by Pacific Coast Conference co-player of the year Kevin Welch.
Welch set the OCC single season and all-time kills records this season.
Orange Coast defeated Santa Monica in five games earlier this season.
Winners of Thursday's semifinal contests move on to the State Championship final on Saturday at 7 p.m. at IVC.