Women's volleyball team bounces back with win
Sep 05, 2008
The win wasn't so much about revenge as it was getting back on track for the Irvine Valley College women's volleyball team.
The Lasers defeated College of the Canyons in four games (17-25, 25-16, 25-18, 25-17) in an important early season match-up last Friday night at home.
Canyons snapped Irvine Valley's 22-match win streak last season, upsetting the Lasers, who were ranked No. 1 in the state at the time, in the Southern California Regional Finals. Canyons moved on to the state tournament, while IVC's season came to a sudden halt.
But after a disappointing loss to San Diego Mesa last Wednesday on the road, getting back at Canyons was the last thing on the Lasers' mind.
"It was all about us bouncing back and playing better," IVC Coach Tom Pestolesi said. "We need to improve. I saw a jump from Wednesday to tonight and the vibe was better out there. They were picking each other up. We just have to keep getting better."
Irvine Valley wasn't at its best in the first game, but quickly turned things around.
It raced out to a 7-1 lead in game two and never looked back. A kill by freshman outside hitter Casey Williams ended the game.
Irvine Valley led throughout the third game, but it was much tighter. At least until the end.
IVC led, 19-18, but then won six straight points to close the game out. Freshman setter Allie Hammer served an ace to give IVC a 2-1 lead in games. Hammer had four aces in the match.
The Lasers carried the momentum into the fourth game. They jumped out to a 13-6 advantage. Canyons never got closer than three points the rest of the way.
A three-point run that included a kill by sophomore outside hitter Mari Guadagnini and combo blocks by freshman outside hitter Lanie Titterud and freshman middle blocker Caitlin Segert and Guadagnini and Segert put IVC ahead, 22-14.
Guadagnini closed the 25-17 fourth-game win out with a kill.
Guadagnini led the way with 15 kills. Freshman middle blocker Carly Loucks, who was solid early for IVC, ended with 10 kills and Williams had six kills.
Freshman Nichole May contributed 13 digs, while sophomore Amanda Donaldson had nine digs.
Hammer added 35 assists and seven digs.
"I thought the difference was our ball control after that first game and some adjustments that (assistant coach) Ki Yi made with our substitution patterns," Pestolesi said. "The adjustments allowed our kids to be successful."
Irvine Valley improved its record to 2-1 on the season and plays again Wednesday night at Citrus.
"It was a good win because Canyons is always a good team," Pestolesi said. "They will finish first or second in their conference. It gives us some confidence."