Cats topple Lasers in inter-district rivalry game

The Saddleback volleyball team defeated Irvine Valley College, 3-2, on Wednesday night inside the gymnasium.  The Bobcats have one more game in the regular season before regional playoff teams are announced.

Saddleback and Irvine Valley entered the night in the midst of a heated battle for the upcoming playoffs, and the Bobcats were also looking to remain tied for second place in the Orange Empire Conference standings.  Saddleback had a third level of anxiety, also looking for revenge after falling to the Lasers in a painful fifth and final set at IVC back in early October.

Saddleback flipped the script on Irvine Valley on Wednesday, beating the Lasers 15-9 in a fifth and decisive set to remain tied for second place with Golden West with one game remaining in the regular season.  The Bobcats will host conference champion Orange Coast on Friday, looking to become the first team to defeat the Pirates all season.

Saddleback and Irvine Valley were close all night, as neither was able to run away with any of the games.  The Bobcats opened with a 25-17 win in the opening set before the Lasers outlasted the Bobcats in a grueling second set, 29-27.  Saddleback took a 2-1 lead with a 25-21 win in set three before the Lasers returned the favor in set four, 25-21.

The match came down to a fifth set and Irvine Valley jumped out to a 5-4 lead before Saddleback ripped off six straight points to take a 10-5 lead.  The Bobcats cruised across the finish line for a 15-9 victory to pick up their 16^th win of the season.

Saddleback is now 16-5 overall and 12-3 in Orange Empire Conference play.  The Bobcats host Orange Coast on Friday night at 6:00 PM inside the gymnasium.