Rustlers Sweep Cougars in the Sand

The Golden West College beach volleyball team flexed its strength with back-to-back victories over Cuesta, securing a hard-fought 3-2 win in the first match before sweeping the Cougars 5-0 in the second.

Match 1: Golden West Edges Cuesta 3-2

The Rustlers kicked off the day with a closely contested 3-2 victory. The No. 1 pair of Hayden Johnston and Maren Matthews battled back after dropping the first set to claim a 2-1 win (21-23, 21-16, 15-7). At the No. 2 slot, Jenna Zaffino and Cassandra Zoellers also secured a clutch three-set victory (21-17, 19-21, 15-12). The No. 4 duo of Fabiana Padilla and Shea Carroll sealed the overall team win, play all three sets in their matchup 21-12, 20-22, 15-3.

Cuesta managed to grab victories in the No. 3 and No. 5 pairings, but it wasn't enough to overcome Golden West's solid start.

Match 2: Rustlers Sweep Cuesta 5-0

Golden West came out even stronger in the second match, earning a dominant 5-0 sweep. Johnston and Matthews were clinical in their second battle against Cuesta's top pair, winning 24-22, 21-14. Zaffino and Zoellers delivered the most decisive performance of the day with a commanding 21-8, 21-3 victory at No. 2.

Despite a competitive match at No. 3, Cuesta's Lo Jocono and Waltz managed to take one off the Rustlers before Jalissa Costa and Lola Larson responded to win in three sets (18-21, 21-13, 15-9). The No. 4 and No. 5 pairs, Fabiana Padilla / Shea Carroll and Trinity Webber / Lizbeth Espinoza, each fought through three-set battles to keep Golden West perfect in the second match.