Men's volleyball team breezes past Orange Coast
Mar 28, 2009
The Irvine Valley men's volleyball team expected another tough, intense and drawn out match Friday night.
The Lasers were coming off a five-game loss at Golden West on Wednesday (the team's first loss in Pacific Coast Conference action) and they were facing Orange Coast.
The same Orange Coast team that they went five games with and nearly lost to last month in Costa Mesa.
But instead Irvine Valley got an easier than expected win and a fast match.
The Lasers beat the Pirates, 30-27, 30-25, 30-24, Friday night at home.
The win improved the team's record to 10-4 overall and 7-1 in conference. The victory also kept the Lasers in a tie with Golden West for first place in the standings.
Irvine Valley passed and served well and hit .343 as a team in the win.
Freshman outside hitter Brandon Directo, who was coming off a .155 hitting performance at Golden West two nights earlier, led the Lasers with 15 kills. He also hit .389 on the night.
Freshman outside hitter Aaron Gerardi, who had a season-high 22 kills at Golden West, finished with 14 kills and nine digs and freshman opposite Billy Woodall and freshman middle blocker Taylor Galliano each chipped in six kills. Woodall hit .500.
Freshman defensive specialist Curt Mahle and freshman libero Nick Castello each contributed 13 digs and freshman setter Garret Dvoracek ran the offense with 42 assists.
Irvine Valley plays again on Wednesday, hosting Palomar at 6 p.m.