Irvine Valley's men's volleyball team stayed perfect for the 2023 season on Wednesday night.
The Lasers remained the only unbeaten squad in the state with a 25-21, 25-21, 25-18 sweep over Santa Barbara City.
Irvine Valley moved its overall record to 5-0 overall, while Santa Barbara City fell to 2-2.
The Lasers led from start to finish in each set.
It was close in the first two sets. But Irvine Valley pulled away late in each set.
Santa Barbara City got within 20-19 in the opening frame. But Irvine Valley scored five of the last seven points to take the set.
IVC freshman outside hitter Matt Reid had a kill to make it 23-20, a block by freshman outside hitter Damon Kooiman for a point made it 24-20, and two points later a roll shot by freshman outside hitter Zach McEntrire gave Irvine Valley the first set, 25-21.
Irvine Valley jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the second set.
Santa Barbara City tied the set at 21 late, but Irvine Valley scored the final four points, including big kills by sophomore opposite Demetre Gossett and a block by Gossett and sophomore middle blocker Julio Gutierrez.
In the third and final set, Irvine Valley scored five of the final eight points to close the match out, 25-18.
Gossett, who is averaging 3.69 kills per set, finished things off with a kill.
Gossett, McEntire, freshman setter Kaina Alvarez, Kooiman and sophomore libero Adam Schulte stood out for Irvine Valley on the night.
Gossett ended with 14 kills and hit .391. McEntire had 13 kills and hit .545. Kooiman added 10 kills and eight digs, Schulte had 19 digs and Alvarez finished with 33 assists.
The Lasers hit an impressive .353 on the night.
IVC plays again next Tuesday at San Diego Mesa at 6 p.m. in nonconference action.
