Improbable rally saves Irvine Valley's undefeated season, edges Fresno in 5

Irvine Valley's Alaina Gendale makes the defensive play during the Lasers semifinal win over Fresno Saturday, photo by Richard Quinton.
Irvine Valley's Alaina Gendale makes the defensive play during the Lasers semifinal win over Fresno Saturday, photo by Richard Quinton.
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December 7, 2019

(CHULA VISTA)--When North #2 seed Fresno City College dominated the first two sets of the CCCAA Women's Volleyball State Championship semifinal Saturday afternoon against South #1 and state top-ranked Irvine Valley, there was a feeling of bewilderment on the Lasers bench. 

"We basically told our players that we got nothing better to do for the next hour-and-a-half, so we might as well play volleyball," said IVC head coach Tom Pestolesi.

And that's exactly what happened as the Lasers realized they were undefeated for a reason as they accomplished one of the great turnarounds in state tourney history, rallying in five sets over the stunned Rams, 17-25, 12-25, 25-23, 25-16, 15-9. 

Irvine Valley (27-0) will face North #1 Feather River College (32-3) on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the state title match. Fresno finishes in a tie for third place at state with a 31-3 overall record.

IVC hit an impressive .324 over the final three sets as four Lasers reached double figures overall in kills. Leading the way was "The Closer" in Gabriela Griego, who often has been the big hitter down the stretch in sets, as she pounded two kills to cap the 6-point win in set 5. Griego finished with 17 kills (hit .455). Lea Kruse added 14 kills and 23 digs while Alaina Gendale scored 13 kills and 13 digs. Truth Hafey recovered from a tough start and set 52 assists while serving two aces. Anna Unke (16 digs) and Lexie Pereira (10 digs) did their usual consistent job on defense and serving.

For Fresno, all three of their loses were in five sets and the loss prevented a matchup v. a Feather River team that handed the Rams both of their regular-season defeats. Taylor Dilley led FCC with 18 kills (hit .298) while Rylee Kenitzer had 15 kills (.290). Marina Gonzalez tallied 11 kills and 17 digs. Ali Santoyo was brilliant with 20 digs and Brooke Gonsalves delivered 31 assists and nine digs. 

"Fresno was unbelievable on serve and pass the first two sets," Pestolesi said. "We started to serve short in the third set not to get aces, but to create some confusion for their offense. We were so tight going back to the quarterfinal match v. American River. My assistants and I told them to stop thinking, and just do your job. We started playing volleyball for the first time in like seven sets here. Then everything clicked, everyone did their jobs."

Pestolesi also said that the loss of Fresno's opposite hitter Julie Castleman, who was injured in the Rams quarterfinal win and was unavailable to play in the semis, was another factor that helped IVC turn the match around. 

For Fresno, Rams head coach Kieran Roblee talked about the switch in momentum that turned the match around for Irvine Valley. 

"Irvine did a better job of attacking our block in the final few sets," she said. "Our passing started to break down and it made it very difficult for our setters. Marina Gonzalez had a great match for us, and was outstanding for us all season. We played so well to get as far we did. I'm so proud of all of our players."

The Fresno resume keeps growing at state. Since 2016, the Rams have a state title in '16, a state runner-up finish in 2018 and now a final four appearance in 2019.

The Lasers have lost as many sets, four in two days at the state tourney, as they did in the entire regular season and two regional rounds when they were 75-4 in winning games. Irvine Valley is attempting to accomplish its third undefeated state title in the past six years. They also went undefeated to win the 2014 and 2017 state crowns.

Release by Robert Lewis, CCCWVCA SID