IVC men’s volleyball team caps big week with conference win over Santiago Canyon

Setter Andrew Perez of Irvine Valley (left) goes up for a block as Santiago Canyon outside hitter Savvas Andreou goes for a point. (Photo courtesy IVC Athletic Communications)

The Irvine Valley men’s volleyball team capped a great first week with a 25-20, 25-13, 25-13 Orange Empire Conference victory at Santiago Canyon on Friday night.

The Lasers also swept the Hawks on Wednesday in their 2021 season opener.

IVC cruised to the win on Friday to improve the team’s win to 2-0 on the year.

“We played really well again,” Irvine Valley Coach Ryan Windisch said. “We are getting contributions from a lot of different players.”

The Lasers hit an impressive .412 as a team on the night with four players having at least seven kills.

Freshman outside hitter JT Demure (Granite Bay High) had his second solid match with a team-leading nine kills and hit .409. He added nine digs, two solo blocks and one block assist.

Freshman outside hitter Jaden Churchill (Morro Bay High) had eight kills, and freshman opposite Garret Schnitker (Esperanza High) and freshman outside hitter Collin Chillingworth (Foothill HIgh) each finished with seven kills. Chillingworth also had five digs.

Freshman setter Andrew Perez (Santa Margarita High) ran the offense with 38 assists in IVC’s second sweep of the season.

It had been more than a year since Irvine Valley competed on the court.

“I was most excited for the boys to step on the court and put on a jersey again,” Windisch said “After losing a season last year, they have not had any organized competition in over a year. The feeling of competing with your teammates is something that cannot be explained. I cannot wait to see the joy that playing again brings not only our team but the other teams as well.” 

Windisch said that the depth of his squad will be important.

“At IVC we take pride in our strength as an entire unit,” Windisch said. “From the starting group to the redshirts we are confident that everyone is all in on a common goal. The brotherhood these guys have created even during a pandemic is something to be remembered. Now to get to compete with one another is going to make it even more special.” 

IVC plays again on Wednesday, hosting Moorpark at 6 p.m. No fans allowed in attendance.

Source IVC Athletic Communications