The Irvine Valley men's volleyball team had a new head coach on the sidelines Wednesday night at home in its 2023 season opener against Antelope Valley.
But it was business as usual for the Lasers.
With Rory Jones, who was a former IVC state champion as a player and the top assistant for the Lasers the last four years, the squad rolled in a 25-16, 25-20, 25-15 victory.
As an assistant, Jones helped former head coach Ryan Windisch and the Lasers reach the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship match in 2019.
And over the last two years, IVC had a record of 27-7 overall, won the Orange Empire Conference tournament title in 2021 and reachd the state semifinals last season.
"It is feels really good," Jones said about his first win at the helm of the program. "A little bit off of my shoulders."
He had nothing to worry about as Irvine Valley took it to the Marauders from the start.
IVC led, 3-0, in the first set after a kill by sophomore opposite Demetre Gossett. Antelope Valley tried to hang in, but the Lasers scored 10 of the final 13 points in the set.
A kill by sophomore middle blocker Julio Gutierrez gave Irvine Valley a 22-13 advantage and the Lasers later took the set on a service error by the Marauders.
The second set was a lot closer but Irvine Valley still led comfortably most of the way.
Antelope Valley did get within 20-18 and then 21-19 in the set, but a kill by freshman outside hitter Damon Kooiman forced an AVC timeout.
Irvine Valley came back and put another point on the board with a kill by Gossett and two points later a kill by freshman middle blocker Aaron Herschberg gave the Lasers set point.
The set ended on a hitting error by Antelope Valley.
IVC led the whole way again in the third set. The Lasers took their biggest lead at 23-13 on a kill by freshman outside hitter Zack McEntire.
Another kill by Gossett made it 24-14 and McEntire finished the match with a kill.
"Both of our opposites (Gossett and freshman Matt Reid), played unbelievable and our setters (freshmen Kaina Alvarez and Nick Hinker) did a great job," Jones said. "They really ran our offense. This was a real solid start for us."
Gossett hit an impressive .824 on the night (14-0-17) and added two aces.
Reid was right behind, hitting .733 (11-0-15) for the Lasers. Freshman outside hitter Damon Kooiman finished with eight kills and seven digs, freshman outside hitter Zach McEntire had seven kills, 11 digs and three blocks and sophomore middle blocker Julio Gutierrez ended with six kills, hit .625 and had four blocks.
Sophomore libero Adam Schulte had 11 digs and Alvarez had 22 assists and Hinker chipped in 16 assists and eight digs for IVC.
Irvine Valley plays again on Saturday against some stiff competition. The Lasers will play in the John Altobelli Memorial Quad at Orange Coast, facing Long Beach City at 10 a.m. and then El Camino at 4 p.m.
Both squads, along with IVC, were part of the state semifinals last season.
