3ds Max :: Iray And Alpha Mapping

So I finally made my own alpha map to simple shapes look like strands of hair. Only problem is when I use Iray and I learn that it won't render the alpha and I'm left with a render of the original shapes. Is there anyway to work around this?

I want to keep Iray, I can't give up that rendering power.But on the other hand I want to use hair without having to use anything that will eat at my computer's performance (so no hair and fur modifier or anything particle system unless it can be utilized easier)