Huntington Beach, Calif. - Golden West women's volleyball opened the 2014 season in a big way, sweeping Rio Hondo 25-13, 25-4, 25-11 at home.

It was all Golden West (1-0) the entire match as the Rustlers had leads in each set of 10 points or more. The first set was controlled by Golden West from the very beginning. New-comers Ashley Pettibone and Gabi Nguyen provided the offense and at one point the score was 20-8. Rio Hondo (0-1) capitalized on a few breaks, but the Rustlers were too far ahead and won the set 25-13. Nguyen led the offense with 9 kills, Pettibone was right behind her with 8 and Jewell Yandall followed with 7.

Set 2 was a dream for Golden West and a nightmare for Rio Hondo. The Rustlers started out going on an 8-0 run that included 2 aces by sophomore captain Kelynn Mullally. Pettibone was the dominate server earning 8 aces out of Golden West's whopping total of 15. Mullally ran the floor with 10 digs and fellow sophomore Andrea Gonzalez was a big help with her 33 assists. With more of these runs and many aces later, only 5 of the 7 players on the court, including the libero, served for Golden West limiting Rio Hondo to 4 points.

Rio Hondo managed to give the Rustlers a hard time in the third set jumping out to a quick 3-point lead. That lead would not last as Pettibone and Yandall took control and helped widen the gap to 10 points with a 17-7 score. Golden West kept the scoring onslaught going and cruised to a 25-11 victory and the sweep.

Golden West will look to continue its hot start against Long Beach City at home next Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 5 p.m.

Written By: Kyle Infante