Vikings wrap up non-conference schedule with sweep of Irvine Valley

Sophomore Dan Starkey (Fox Lake, IL) and freshman Marques Buggs (Poly HS) combined for 23 kills as the Long Beach City College men's volleyball team needed just an hour and 15 minutes to complete a 25-20, 25-21, 25-20 sweep of visiting Irvine Valley College on Friday night at LBCC.

With the win, Long Beach wrapped up its non-conference schedule with a 6-1 overall record. LBCC has won six straight since its season-opening loss to Orange Coast College back on January 29.

Starkey (13 kills) and Buggs (10 kills) played well throughout the evening, but it was sophomore Henry Taylor (Calvary Chapel HS) that set the tone early for the Vikings. In the opening set, Taylor posted four of his five kills along with three blocks and an ace.

Buggs took over in the second with eight kills, while Starkey had four kills and two aces in the third.

Sophomore Tim Davis (Lakewood HS) totaled 40 assists and added three blocks. Sophomore Ryan Boncuk (Poly HS) also chipped in with six kills and two aces.

For Irvine Valley (4-3), Cole Murray led the Lasers with 12 kills while Kevin Vaz added nine kills and two aces.

Long Beach returns to action on Wednesday (Feb 26) at 6 pm when it opens Western State Conference play at Los Angeles Trade-Tech College. LBCC looks to capture its 10th conference title over the past 11 seasons.