Volleyball takes conference honors

May 26, 2006

The men’s volleyball team took top honors recently when the Orange Empire Conference named its coach and player of the
 
year. Laser Head Coach Tom Pestolesi and Assistant Coach Eric Olson were named as co-coaches of the year.

Freshman outside hitter Tyler Strickland shared the conference most valuable player award with a player from Golden

West College. Strickland led the Lasers in kills in 16 of 17 matches this season, and ranked third conference wide. He also

ranked fourth in the conference hitting percentage, seventh in digs and eighth in blocks.

Sophomore setter Michael Bari and sophomore middle blocker Eric Eastman were named first team all-conference; freshman outside hitter Matt Knutson, sophomore outside hitter Josh Kornegay and sophomore middle blocker Kealakai Hussey were the Irvine Valley players on the all-conference second team.

The six players led the college to one of the best seasons in school history. The Lasers won their second ever Orange Empire Conference title and reached the state tournament for the third time. Irvine Valley finished with an overall record of 12-5.