Lasers Go Lights Out

Huntington Beach, Calif. - 'Leading by example' is exactly what your Golden West Rustlers (7-0) did in front of a packed house on Wednesday night. The stands were filled with young hopefuls who were looking to see some great volleyball action - and they got just that!

Irvine Valley (4-3) came in with one goal in mind, and that was to hand the Rustlers their first loss in conference play, and it looked like they were going to do it quick. IVC started the match focused and determined to walk away with the win, coming out on top in the first 2 sets (20-25, 29-31).

The Rustles are no strangers when it comes to being down 0-2 sets in the match. They pulled it off once against defending state champions Santa Monica, could they do it again? 

With their perfect conference season on the line, Golden West came firing back in the third set 24-15. Set four however, was different. With both sides playing great defense, it all came down to who wanted it more. 

Sophomore Vincent Pizzuti came up big for the Rustlers offensively totalling 23 kills (.486) on the night. With Pizzuti on a roll, freshman setter Dale Irvin ran the show with 50 assists - dishing them out all over the court.  

Golden West found themselves down 20-23 late in the fourth; and after a crucial timeout, Andrew Tenbrink served the Rustlers into a deciding fifth set. The energy in the gym was palpable as the  teams were now tied at two sets a piece. 

After exchanging points and switching sides the Rustlers were down, with the score 7-8. It all came down to teamwork in the final few points of the match as Golden West played great defense at the net. Middle blocker Manuel Andrade led the charge with 4 crucial blocks. 

With set point and the crowd on their feet, the Rustler server clears the net into Lasers territory. IVC returns the ball, Daniel Vasquez handling the spike with ease, setting up Tenbrink for a kill through the blockers to secure the win and extend the team's winning streak to 8. 

Golden West will travel to San Diego Mesa Friday night to start the second half of conference play.