THE PREPS : VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP : Irvine Stays Undefeated in League

Irvine withstood a fourth-game rally by Woodbridge to defeat the host Warriors, 3-1, in a Sea View League volleyball match Friday night. The fourth-ranked Vaqueros won, 15-12, 15-4, 12-15, 17-15, to run their league record to 2-0. Seventh-ranked Woodbridge fell to 5-2, 0-2.

“We got a little lazy after getting a big lead,” Irvine coach Mark Mednick said.

Irvine held what appeared to be a comfortable lead in the fourth game, 9-3, before Woodbridge rallied with 11 consecutive points to take a 14-9 lead. A long service gave Irvine the opportunity to bounce back.

A point off Danny Reyes’ service and five straight off the service by Blair Eldridge, including an ace to break a 14-14 tie, gave Irvine the lead. A hit into the net tied the score, 15-15, but two successive points off Jeff Miller’s service--the final point on a Marl Ramirez return--gave Irvine the victory.

A seven-point run with Woodbridge captain Steve Jobes serving and Kevin Reid recording six consecutive kills helped Woodbridge rebound to win the third game. Jobes also had a five-point run in the first game, making the game close.

“He (Jobes) had some nice runs,” Mednick said.

Eldridge led Irvine’s balanced attack with 21 kills. Jeff Miller had 17, Luke Carlson 16 and Ramirez 14. Grant Donaldson had 71 assists.

Carlson had nine blocks and Eldridge had three aces for Irvine.