Golden West Beach Volleyball Earns Major Postseason Honors; Lawler Named OEC Coach of the Year
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA - Following a historic season that culminated in an undefeated Orange Empire Conference championship, the Golden West College beach volleyball program earned significant postseason recognition with multiple student-athletes receiving All-Orange Empire Conference honors, a prestigious All-State selection, and head coach Bill Lawler being named the Orange Empire Conference Coach of the Year.
Lawler guided the Rustlers to an undefeated conference campaign and an Orange Empire Conference title, leading Golden West to one of its most successful seasons in program history. Under his leadership, the Rustlers showcased depth throughout the lineup, consistency in conference play, and postseason success that included appearances in both the 3C2A Southern California Team and Pairs Regionals.
Golden West placed two pairs on the All-OEC First Team, highlighted by the Rustlers' top pair of Meghan Freck and Maren Matthews, who consistently performed at the No. 1 position throughout the season. The duo emerged as one of the top teams in the conference, earning first-team recognition after helping lead Golden West to conference supremacy.
In addition to their conference honors, Freck and Matthews were selected to the Beach Volleyball Coaches Association (BVCA) All-State Team, recognizing them among the top beach volleyball pairs in California community college competition. Their standout season included leading the Rustlers at the No. 1 court, helping Golden West secure the Orange Empire Conference championship and representing the program in postseason regional competition.
Also earning All-OEC First Team honors were Mackenzie Dorney and Jenna Zaffino, who anchored the Rustlers at the No. 2 position and delivered key victories throughout conference play. The pair's resilience and ability to win pivotal three-set matches made them one of the conference's most dependable tandems.
Golden West added two more pairs to the postseason honors list with Sorelle Buley and Cassandra Zoellers earning All-OEC Second Team recognition after a strong campaign in the middle of the Rustlers lineup. The duo played a crucial role in several key conference victories and consistently delivered in pressure situations.
Joining them on the All-OEC Second Team were Jalissa Costa and Pearl Miller, whose steady play at the No. 3 position helped Golden West maintain its depth during conference competition. The pair contributed several important wins throughout the Rustlers' championship run.
The collection of postseason accolades reflects the strength and depth of a Golden West team that finished atop the Orange Empire Conference and established itself as one of the premier programs in Southern California during the 2026 season.
Golden West College Postseason Honors
BVCA All-State Team
• Meghan Freck / Maren Matthews
All-OEC First Team
• Meghan Freck / Maren Matthews
• Mackenzie Dorney / Jenna Zaffino
All-OEC Second Team
• Sorelle Buley / Cassandra Zoellers
• Jalissa Costa / Pearl Miller
OEC Coach of the Year
• Bill Lawler