Irvine Valley sweeps Saddleback, caps undefeated OEC run

The Irvine Valley men's tennis team is the Orange Empire Conference champion for the second year in a row.

The Lasers capped an undefeated conference campaign with one of their best efforts of the season.

Irvine Valley defeated Saddleback, 9-0, on Tuesday at home.

The Lasers beat the second-place Gauchos, 7-2, the first time the teams met at Saddleback.

IVC improved its record to 14-1 overall and 10-0 in conference. The Lasers' lone loss was to four-year school Concordia, which is ranked in the top 10 in the NAIA.

It is the second straight undefeated conference run for Irvine Valley.

Irvine Valley is ranked No. 1 in Southern California by the ITA and finished second in the state last year.

The Lasers swept Saddleback despite not having two of their top players available because of injury.

Sophomores Guillermo Ucelay (No. 1), Max Rumeau (No. 6) and freshmen Flavie Raveau (No. 2), Carson Williams (No. 3), Bruno Figlia (No. 4) and Scott Paz (No. 5) each won in straight sets for the Lasers.

Among the highlights for IVC were Ucelay beating Saddleback's top player, Adam Bagdy, 6-1, 6-2, Figlia defeating Kevin Stanley, 6-0, 6-3, Paz pulling out a 6-3, 7-6 victory over Grant Vander Hayden and Rumeau cruising in a 6-1, 6-1 win over Kian Saidi.

Irvine Valley then won all three doubles matches.

Ucelay and Figlia won, 8-1, at the No. 1 spot. Paz and Williams earned an 8-2 win at No. 3 doubles.

And Rumeau and freshman Valentin Baize capped the overall sweep with an 8-6 victory over Saddleback's Bagby and Jake Stievers, 8-6.

Irvine Valley now has two weeks off before starting play in the So. Cal. Team Regionals on April 7.

Irvine Valley is expected to be the No. 1 seed in Southern California.

The team will play in the conference finals from April 9-11.

Irvine Valley def. Saddleback, 9-0

Singles

1) Guillermo Ucelay (IVC) def. Adam Bagby (SADD), 6-1, 6-2

2) Flavien Raveau (IVC) def. Jake Stivers (SADD), 6-3, 6-1

3) Carson Williams (IVC) def. Ryan Mariano (SADD), 6-4, 6-0

4) Bruno Figlia (IVC) def. Kevin Standley (SADD), 6-0, 6-3

5) Scott Paz (IVC) def. Grant Vander Hayden (SADD), 6-3, 7-6

6) Max Rumeau (IVC) def. Kian Saidi (SADD), 6-1, 6-1

Doubles

1) Ucelay/Figlia (IVC) def. Mariano/Stanley (SADD), 8-1

2) Rumeau/Valentin Baize (IVC) def. Bagby/Stivers (SADD), 8-6

3) Paz/Williams (IVC) def. Saidi/Vance La (SADD), 8-2