The Irvine Valley women’s volleyball team continued the Southern California Regional playoffs right where it ended the regular season – on a roll.
The Lasers, who are seeded first in the playoffs and ranked No. 1 in the state, swept 16th-seeded Palomar in the first round of the playoffs, 30-19, 30-21, 30-25, Tuesday night at home.
The win was Irvine Valley’s 22nd straight this year without a loss. The three-game sweep was the Lasers’ 15th of the season and fourth straight.
Irvine Valley moves on to play College of the Canyons in one of four Southern California Regional playoff finals on Saturday at IVC at 6 p.m.
Canyons, the No. 9 seed, upset eighth-seeded Orange Coast in three games, in another first round game Tuesday night.
The winner of the Canyons and Irvine Valley match-up moves on to the state championships in Fresno.
Irvine Valley’s win over Palomar Tuesday night was its second over the Comets this season. The Lasers also defeated Palomar in three games in a non-conference match on Sept. 26.
"We didn't play our best, but we are moving on and that is the important thing," Irvine Valley Coach Tom Pestolesi said. "Now it is time to get fired up for Saturday."
The Lasers were led Tuesday night once again by sophomore outside hitter Chelsea Pavlik. Pavlik had 20 kills to increase her school record total for kills in a season to 432. Pavlik added six digs and two aces.
Freshman outside hitter Mari Guadagnini added eight kills, sophomore middle blocker Jessica Flood had seven kills and freshman middle blocker Katie Pascoe finished with six kills.
Freshman libero Amanda Donaldson paced the team in digs with eight. Sophomore defensive specialist Brooke Bryant and freshman outside hitter Camryn Torromeo each had six digs and sophomore setter Kelly Keating finished with 39 assists.
IVC had 38 digs as a team in the three games.