Huntington Beach, CA -­ Golden West women's volleyball team saw the fruition of their hard work rewarded with a rise to being ranked No. 25 in the state, in the most recent California Community College Athletic Association poll.

The Rustlers were unable to carry that momentum through their Orange Empire Conference match against visiting Cypress College on Wednesday, falling in a tough three-set match to the Chargers, ranked No. 18 in the state.

Golden West fell, 20-25, 21-25, 20-25, dropping in to a four-way tie for second place in the conference standings with Cypress, Orange Coast and Saddleback.

The Rustlers (8-8, 5-2) were led by freshman Keilani Pearson (Huntington Beach High), who had a team-high nine kills and 10 digs. Sophomore Cherene Uale contributed four kills with seven digs, freshman Erica Cantley (Cypress High) added a team-high 17 assists, with three kills and two digs and sophomore Kayelyn Nunez had a team-high 12 digs.

Sophomore Ashleigh Atsaros had four kills and four digs and freshman Eden VanWaardenburg (Marina High) had kills kills for the Rustlers.

Golden West visits Saddleback College, ranked No. 14 in the state, on Friday, before returning home to host Fullerton College at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

­30­