Huntington Beach, Calif. – In a tense matchup, Golden West (4-9, 2-4) came out with a victory in five sets against San Diego Mesa (2-9, 1-6) Wednesday night (25-15, 23-25, 25-15, 25-27, 16-14). Alvin Truong led the charge for the Rustlers with 17 kills (.447) and Lenzie Ainsworth added nine.
The Rustlers cruised past the Olympians in set one, 25-15, but San Diego Mesa took set two, winning 25-23. Set three mirrored set one as Golden West won after Tyler Peck's solo block concluded the third set, 25-15. Both teams went back and forth in the fourth set, but San Diego Mesa took the set in extra points, 27-25.
Golden West had the advantage at midpoint in set five, leading 8-6. The lead was short-lived as the Rustlers saw themselves down 11-9 after both teams switched sides. The Rustlers fought back to knot the score up 12-12 after a service ace by freshman Daniel Vasquez. After several lead changes, Golden West scored their 16th point to clinch the set, 16-14, and win the match.
Golden West will be on short rest as the Rustlers travel to San Diego to face the Jets of Mira Mar on Thursday, March 19. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m.
