Huntington Beach, CA­ - Golden West women's volleyball team endured a tough preseason that saw the Rustlers enter Orange Empire Conference play three games under the .500 mark.

Wednesday's four-set victory over visiting Santa Ana College kept Golden West undefeated in conference play and tied for first place atop the OEC standings. The Rustlers (5-6, 2-0) won the opening set, dropped the second, but won the next two for a 25-19, 17-25, 26-24, 25-12 victory.

Freshman Keilani Pearson (Huntington Beach High) had 11 kills, 11 digs and a block and sophomore Ashleigh Atsaros had a team-high 14 kills, with four digs and three service aces to pace Golden West. Freshman Erica Cantley (Cypress High) added nine kills, with a team-high 31 assists, 10 digs and an ace and sophomore Jatyauna Newburn had eight kills and two digs for the Rustlers.

Golden West wasn't afraid to get dirty, as the Rustlers had 74 digs as a team, led by sophomores Kayelyn Nunuz (15 digs) and Amanda Sosa (14 digs).  

Golden West travels to play Santiago Canyon College on Friday. The Rustlers return home to host Irvine Valley College, ranked No. 2 in the state, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27 in a battle for first place in the conference.

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