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Men's Volleyball Seals No. 1 Spot

Men's Volleyball Seals No. 1 Spot

Irvine Valley's men's volleyball team couldn't stop the hottest team in the Pacific Coast Conference Friday night at home. Golden West (10-2, 6-0) remains undefeated in conference play with a 25-15, 23-25, 25-18, 26-24 victory over the Lasers (9-2, 3-2). The Rustlers were paced by Matt Hilling's 18 kills and Weston Carico's 13 kills.

Golden West took control of the first set late. The Rustlers led, 17-14, and then finished off the set winning eight of the next nine points. A kill by Jose Ulloa set up set point and then an IVC hitting error ended the set.

In the second set the two teams constistantly exchanged points. The set was tied at 18, 19, 20 and 21 before Irvine Valley found some separation. A kill by Irvine Valley  put them up, 23-21. Golden West pulled within 23-22, but IVC answered with a kill off a t 24-22. Two points later, Golden West netted and IVC took the set.

Golden West led from the start in the third set. And it led strong right from the start. The Rustlers raced out to a 6-0 lead behind the serving of Hilling. Golden West took an 11-2 lead after a block by Tyler Kulikowski and Carico and then a IVC hitting error. Golden West held its biggest lead of the set at 21-11. Irvine Valley scored four points in a row to make it 21-15, but the Lasers didn't get any closer than six points the rest of the set.

The fourth game, much like the second was back and forth. Irvine Valley led by as many as three points at 10-7 and Golden West later was up by as many as three points at 22-19. With Golden West ahead, 22-20, Guymon pulled the Lasers level at 22-22 with two straight aces.

The Rustlers were up, 23-22, when Irvine Valley got back-to-back kills from Robinson to set up set point at 24-23. But the Lasers didn't score again. Another IVC serving error tied the set at 24-24 and then the Rustlers scored the next two points on a tip kill by setter Luke Pope and then a Laser hitting error.

NEXT: The Rustlers host No. 5 San Diego Mesa at home on Wedensday, March 20th. Game time is at 6:00pm.