It wasn’t easy, but the Irvine Valley women’s volleyball team improved to 2-0 in Orange Empire Conference play and stayed undefeated on the season with a four-game win over Fullerton Wednesday night at home.

Irvine Valley’s 25-13, 23-25, 25-21, 26-24 victory improved its record to 6-0 overall.

The Lasers, ranked fourth in the state, looked like they might have an early night after jumping all over Fullerton in the first game.

But the Hornets (5-4, 0-2) bounced back in the second game behind some tough serving.

Irvine Valley responded in the third and fourth games.

The Lasers had to dig deep to close the match out in the fourth game.

They trailed early, 12-9, and late, 24-23.

But a kill by Katie Wilkerson off the block pulled IVC into a 24-24 tie. And a kill by Carly Loucks gave the Lasers match point.

IVC earned the win on the next point when Fullerton’s Reilly Stevens hit out.

Irvine Valley was led by freshman Ellie Wiekamp, who finished with 14 kills. She also added six digs and three blocks.

Hillary Crone contributed 12 kills and Caitlin Segert had eight kills, including an important one off a slide play to pull the Lasers even at 22-22 in the fourth game. Segert also paced the Lasers in blocks with six.

Loucks ended with five kills for IVC. Nichole May hada match-high 20 digs, Wilkerson had eight digs and Sarah Atilano had seven digs. Atilano also had two aces.

Sophomore setter Allie Hammer finished with 46 assists and five digs.

Irvine Valley plays again on Friday, traveling to Saddleback for a 6 p.m. conference match.