The Irvine Valley men’s volleyball team rallied from being a game down to defeat Golden West, 30-27, 24-30, 15-30, 30-21, 17-15, in a Pacific Coast Conference opener Friday night at Irvine Valley.
The Lasers, who are two-time defending state champions, improved their record to 4-3 overall, while Golden West slipped to 2-4 overall.
Irvine Valley looked down and out after the third game. The 30-15 loss was IVC’s worst in a game this season. The Rustlers finished off the game on an 11-5 run. Matt Markell put the game away with a kill.
The fourth game was tied, 17-17, when IVC found its rhythm and took off.
The Lasers scored seven points in a row, capped by a solo block for a point by freshman middle blocker Corey Brophy.
A kill by freshman middle blocker Taylor Galliano put Irvine Valley ahead, 28-20. Freshman opposite Billy Woodall followed with a block for a point and two points later Woodall put IVC back into the match with a kill.
The fifth and deciding game was back and forth the whole way. The biggest lead was 8-5 for Irvine Valley.
Golden West scored three straight points to take a 13-12 advantage. Ian McKelvie tied the game with a kill and then Greg Smith’s kill put the Rustlers up by one.
A kill by IVC freshman outside hitter Brandon Directo tied things at 13-13 and an ace by freshman setter James Alexander gave Irvine Valley a one-point lead.
McKelvie’s kill for Golden West made it even again at 14-14.
Tied at 15-15, Irvine Valley got a kill from Galliano off the block and then a block by Brophy on Golden West’s Max Volz ended the match.
Irvine Valley was paced by Directo, who finished with 17 kills and eight digs.
Brophy had 12 kills and freshman outside hitter Aaron Gerardi contributed 11 kills. Freshman defensive specialist Chris Reames and freshman libero Nick Costello led the Lasers in digs with 11 and 10, respectively and Alexander and freshman Garret Dvoracek shared setting duties on the night. Alexander had 20 assists.
Irvine Valley plays both of its matches on the road next week. The Lasers have a big match-up at Orange Coast next Wednesday at 6 p.m. and are at San Diego City on Friday at 6 p.m.