Huntington Beach, Calif. - Golden West women's volleyball (12-8, 8-7 OEC) defeated Saddleback (17-5, 12-3 OEC) in five sets, 22-25, 25-16, 23-25, 25-22, 15-7.
For their last home game of the season, Golden West held Sophomore Night to recognize their student-athletes last home game. In their first matchup of the season, Golden West traveled to Saddleback and only won one set. It would be a more competitive night with the match being pushed to five sets.
The Rustlers jumped ahead to start the battle with two unanswered points to open the match. However, the No. 19 Bobcats fought back to take the lead. Late in the first set, the home team clawed their way back on the scoreboard to tie the game. 20-20. Though, the first set slipped away as Saddleback prevailed to win, 22-25.
The home team started the second set in a similar fashion to the first. The Rustlers scored the first two points of the set and fended off a Saddleback attack with a seven point advantage. Midway through the second set, Golden West found themselves up big, 16-9. The home team went on to lead by ten and closed out the second set, 25-16.
Golden West began the third set hot with a convincing lead. The Rustlers continued to separate themselves on the scoreboard as the home team went up seven, 10-3. Saddleback shifted the momentum and mounted a comeback and won the third set, 23-25.
The fourth set was as competitive as the previous three. Tied 22-22, the Rustlers looked to keep the match alive while the Bobcats worked to finish the night. Golden West outplayed Saddleback in the fourth set to win to continue the intense matchup, 25-22.
Pushed to a final and fifth set, the Rustlers carried their energy to earn five unanswered points. Golden West distanced themselves on the scoreboard with a six point lead, 13-6. Two scores away from a huge upset, the home team was able to finish off the night and win the final set, 15-7. Golden West and Saddleback split their two meetings on the year as the Rustlers handed the Bobcats their third loss in conference.
NEXT UP: The Rustlers will play their final game on the road at Santa Ana on Tuesday, November 14th. First serve will be at 6pm.
