Mitchem's big night carries Irvine Valley by Cypress

Irvine Valley's women's volleyball team got the better of Cypress in a battle of two of the top-six ranked teams in the state on Friday night at Irvine Valley.

Irvine Valley, ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in Southern California, ran its record to 12-0 overall and 5-0 in the Orange Empire Conference with a 25-14, 25-17, 25-23 win over Cypress, which was ranked No. 6 in the state and No. 4 in Southern California.

Cypress' record dropped to 12-2 overall and 3-2 in conference.

The sweep was Irvine Valley's 11^th in a row.

But it wasn't that easy.

Cypress held late leads in the final two sets.

Irvine Valley needed a big night from its All-American middle blocker Annie Mitchem to answer the call.

Mitchem, the reigning conference MVP, finished with 18 kills, eight digs, four blocks and two aces. She also had a hitting percentage of .500.

Up 13-10, in the first set, Irvine Valley pulled away. The Lasers scored 12 of the final 16 points of the set.

Mitchem led the way by accounting for five of Irvine Valley's final six points in the set. She had three kills and two blocks.

A block by Mitchem and sophomore setter Hailey Jones gave Irvine Valley a 24-14 lead and then Mitchem ended the set with a kill.

Irvine Valley also led, 13-10, in the second set, but Cypress battled back to take a 16-15 lead on a lift called on Irvine Valley.

A kill by Lindsey Ray then gave Cypress a 17-16 advantage.

But Irvine Valley scored the final nine points of the set. A kill by Mitchem tied it at 17-17 and then a kill by sophomore outside hitter Marisa Doran gave IVC an 18-17 lead.

An ace by Mitchem and then a tip winner by Jones put IVC ahead 20-17 and forced a Cypress timeout.

Three straight errors by the Chargers put IVC up, 23-17.

Back-to-back kills by Mitchem and Doran ended the set.

The third set was tight all the way through. Cypress took its biggest lead at 16-12 on a kill by Mikayla Taylor.

Cypress later led 18-15 and then 19-16 before Irvine Valley tied at it 19-19 with three straight points, including an ace by Mitchem.

Cypress went back in the lead, 20-19, on a kill by Taylor.

Irvine Valley answered with four points in a row to take the lead for good. Doran had a kill and Jones served an ace as part of the run.

Irvine Valley set up match point at 24-21 on a block by Doran and freshman middle blocker Hannah Matt.

But Cypress got kills by Susan Susky and Christina Kennedy to stay alive and pull within 24-23.

After an IVC timeout, Matt put down the game-winning kill for Irvine Valley.

Doran contributed an important 10 kills and seven digs, Jones was on top of her game all night in running the offense and finished with 38 assists to go along with seven digs and two aces. Freshman opposite Juju Cannon and sophomore outside hitter Kobi Pekich each chipped in four kills for the Lasers.

Cypress was paced by Taylor, who had 12 kills and 21 digs and Rey, who finished with 12 kills and 12 digs.

Irvine Valley will be on the road for what should be two tough matches next week. The Lasers are at Orange Coast on Wednesday and at Fullerton on Friday.

Orange Coast was ranked fifth in the state and Fullerton was ranked seventh in the state this week.