Irvine, Calif. – Golden West women's volleyball opened the Orange Empire Conference season with a 3-1 win against Irvine Valley. Final match scores were 25-23, 25-8, 19-25, 25-19.

The Rustlers commanded a big lead in the opening set, and while Irvine rallied, Golden West closed out the set thanks to a kill by Kami Dickerson (Orange, CA/El Modena HS). The second set was tied 8-8 after two straight aces by Irvine, but the game changed pace when the Rustlers won 8 of the next 10 points. Back to back aces by Alicia Utke (Cypress, CA/Los Alamitos HS) put Golden West ahead and the Rustlers eventually won the second set.

Irvine picked things up in the third set and jumped out in front with a 7-1 lead. Golden West closed to within 10-13, but IVC ran off 5 straight points, winning Irvine their first set of the match. Both teams turned up the heat in the fourth set, but Golden West could not be stopped. The score was tied 7-7, when the Rustlers when on a 7-2 point run to take control of the game. A final block by Utke ended the contest.

Bethanee Boggs (Cathedral City, CA) lead the team with 14 kills for the match, followed by Utke with 13.