The Irvine Valley women's golf team began its season with a strong performance at the South Coast Classic Invitational Tournament in Ventura Sunday and Monday.

Freshman Nicole Rivera (Cypress High) posted scores in the 70's on two different courses to earn fourth place overall and make the all-tournament team. She was only two shots off the medalists.

Co-medalists, from Bakersfied and Palomar, scored two-day totals of 151. Rivera finished at 153.

Rivera overcame a triple bogey 8 on the Buena Ventura Course to post the second best opening day score of 75. 
And at last year's state finals course, Olivas Links, Rivera overcame the cool ocean breeze to score 78. 

Her 36 holes included four birdies, 21 pars, eight bogeys, two double bogeys and one quadruple bogey.

Irvine Valley sophomore Sam Roberts, who was a co-medalist at the South Coast Classic even last season, posted scores of 85 and 84. Her 169 total included 14 pars, 17 bogeys and five double bogeys.

Roberts was the Orange Empire Conference runner-up for player of the year last season.

IVC freshman Tiffany Kane (Newport Harbor High) had scores of 92 and 89 for a total of 181.
Her rounds included one birdie, nine pars, 15 bogeys, nine double bogeys, one triple and one quadruple bogey.

Irvine Valley couldn't score as a team at the event because it only has three players this season and team's need four to score.
It also means that the Lasers won't be able to try and defend their conference title this season.

"I expect these three ladies will earn spots on the all-conference team and will qualify for post season play," IVC Coach Ben Burnett said. "Freshman Nicole Rivera has served notice that she plans to earn recognition as one of top community college players in the state.
"The IVC ladies have two more nonconference invitational tournaments to continue to refine their golf games before the conference opener on Sept. 14 at Oak Creek."

Irvine Valley will next play in the Orange Empire Conference Tee Off Classic at El Prado in Chino on Wednesday.