State Volleyball Playoffs : Irvine Gives Starters a Breather, Blows Past Roosevelt

As tuneups go, Irvine High School’s 15-1, 15-6, 15-3 thrashing of Roosevelt High in the first round of the CIF state girls’ volleyball tournament was definitely a minor one.

Irvine’s regulars were used sparingly. Bev Oden, the Vaqueros’ star middle blocker, was removed midway through the first game with two kills, never to return. When Oden was in the game her spikes struck serious fear into a seriously out-classed Roosevelt (12-3), the City 4-A runner-up.

As one spectator observed midway through the first game: “Things are looking pretty bad for a team when they’re ducking instead of blocking.”

Irvine, defending state champions, will play Bakersfield North Saturday in the state tournament’s second round. Bakersfield North defeated Carson, 15-13, 15-5, 15-11, Tuesday.

The Irvine-Roosevelt match lasted only 1 hour. Irvine, which won the 5-A title Saturday with a 3-game victory over Mira Costa, pulled ahead in the first game, 13-0. Nine of those points came on Jennifer Fu’s serve, and five of those nine points came on service winners or aces by Fu.

Irvine (19-0) led, 8-0, in the second game before Roosevelt scored five of the next six points to draw within 9-5. Irvine then outscored Roosevelt, 6-1, to win the game.

Irvine started the last game with a 12-0 run. Setter Jennifer Bacon had four aces in the game, including one at match point.