Long Beach City and Irvine Valley to meet for state volleyball title

No. 3 Long Beach City def. No. 2 El Camino, 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 21-16) l Final stats
No. 4 Irvine Valley def. No. 1 Orange Coast, 3-1 (26-24, 21-25, 25-21, 26-24) l Final stats
Bracket

FULLERTON - The 2019 CCCAA Men's Volleyball Championship game will feature No. 3 Long Beach City College and No. 4 Irvine Valley College after both teams upset their top-seed opponents in the semifinals at Fullerton College Thursday night. 

In the first match, No. 2 El Camino College was stunned by Long Beach City in three straight (25-21, 25-17, 25-16). The Warriors did not have an answer for the Vikings physical play as freshman Kyle Anema led with 17 kills, 6 digs, and 4 aces. Freshman Joseph Rocha delivered 36 assists with 11 digs. LBCC will be playing for their 10th state title, which is the most in state history. 

The Irvine Valley played like a team possessed taking the best team in the state down three games to one (26-24, 21-25, 25-21, 26-24). Orange Coast was sporting a 22-0 overall record before meeting with IVC and was the hands-down favorite to win it all. The Lasers' had a different plan and did not shy away from their Orange Empire Conference rival. It was truly a team effort as four IVC players recorded double-digit kills in Demetre Gossett (16), Declan Holder (11), Tristan Belsby (10), and Sean Carroll (10). Assist leader Jimmy Wilson had 49 assists on the night. The Lasers will try and keep the fire lit as they attempt to win their 5th state championship. 

Up Next: The 2019 CCCAA State Championship Match between No. 3 Long Beach City College (18-3 overall) and No. 4 Irvine Valley College (15-7 overall) will be played on Saturday, April 27th at Fullerton College's North Gym at 7:00 p.m.

(Phil Thurman, Fullerton College)