Irvine Valley first team all-Orange Empire College women's flag football player Akayla Chaple has committed to Azusa Pacific University.
Chaple was the starting quarterback for the Lasers the last two seasons.
She helped the Lasers to a record of 11-3 overall in the 2025 inaugural campaign and then led the squad to a record of 15-4 overall and 4-2 and a co-championship in the Orange Empire Conference this spring.
The team was also ranked as high as fifth in the nation in one poll.
IVC went on to capture the first Orange Empire Conference Tournament with a come from behind 32-27 victory over Cypress at home on Apr. 30.
The Lasers trailed late in the contest, but with just minutes to go, a big interception for a touchdown and then a stop and another touchdown throw by Chaple gave the Lasers the victory.
Chaple ended up throwing four touchdowns in the contest.
The former Ramona High student-athlete is the fifth Irvine Valley player to commit or sign with a four-year school.
She is headed to an APU program that will begin its first season this coming year.
Women's flag football debuts as a club sport in 2026-27, with integration to full intercollegiate competition in 2027-28.
"Adding women's flag football underscores our dedication to creating meaningful athletic pathways for young women," said Azusa Pacific President Adam J. Morris, PhD. "As interest in the sport surges nationally, we are excited to be among the universities leading this opportunity for student-athletes to grow, compete, and thrive in a Christ-centered community."
The university has named Bo Beatty to be the program's first head coach.
Beatty is a longtime Cougar and fan favorite, having an association with APU since 1992 when he played football for legendary APU Coach Jim Milhon, followed by a coaching career as an assistant on the Cougar sideline that has spanned four decades.
