Huntington Beach, Calif. - Golden West men's volleyball (10-2, 0-2 OEC) were defeated by the Irvine Valley Lasers (7-4, 1-0 OEC), 2-3.
The Rustlers welcomed the Lasers for the first Orange Empire Conference meeting of the season. Golden West entered the game ranked No. 2 with Irvine Valley close behind at No. 4.
It was a high energy loud start for both teams with a back and forth start. Irvine Valley held an early lead but the home team tied it in the first set, 7-7. In the middle of the set, the matchup was again knotted, 14-14. Near the 20th point, Golden West was able to take the lead and separate, 22-19. On a near mistake, an incredible diving dig by a Rustler continued the rally and later earned Golden West the point. The home team took the first set, 25-22.
The Lasers jumped out ahead in the second set quickly, 4-7. Midway through, Irvine Valley had a substantial edge, 12-17. The Rustlers crept back in as they came within one, 17-18. Late in the second set, the Lasers escaped with the win, 21-25.
Irvine Valley got ahead yet again in the third set, 3-6. Golden West made a comeback as they tied it and took the lead, 11-10. The Lasers tied the matchup back at 16 apiece but an error on the serve put the Rustlers back up, 17-16. Reggie Ah-Hon kept the Rustlers alive as a strong kill tied the match at 24. The home team would take a one point lead but needed a two-point advantage to win the third set. Both sides found themselves at 26 points with neither OEC giving up easily. Golden West prevailed in the end with a thriller of a victory to take the third set, 29-27.
The Rustlers and Lasers kept it competitive in the fourth set as it was a one point difference throughout. Deep into the set, the matchup was tied, 19-19. The fourth set included another high intensity finish. Knotted at 24, extra points would have to decide the end. Irvine Valley won the fourth set to send it to a final fifth, 24-26.
The two SoCal juggernauts went dig for dig, block for block and point for point in the final set. Tied at nine, the Lasers and Rustlers worked to end the night with a conference victory. Golden West would fall to Irvine Valley in the end\, 13-15.
NEXT UP: The Rustlers will be on the road for their next conference matchup at Fullerton on Friday, March 15th. Match will begin at 6pm.
