Rustlers Open 2026 Season with Perfect Day at OCC Quad Meet

COSTA MESA, Calif. – The 2025 defending 3C2A state champion Golden West College Rustlers men's volleyball team opened the 2026 season in emphatic fashion, posting a pair of straight-set victories at the Orange Coast College Quad Meet on Saturday. Golden West swept Long Beach City College (25-21, 25-18, 25-19) in the morning match before closing the day with another 3-0 win over Santa Monica College (25-22, 25-15, 27-25).

Golden West set the tone for the season opener with a controlled sweep of the Vikings, hitting .231 as a team while limiting Long Beach to just .149 over the final two sets.

AJ Kuebrich led the Rustlers offensively with seven kills on .500 hitting, adding three service aces and two block assists to finish with a match-high 11.0 points. Gino Viggiano chipped in six kills, eight digs, and two block assists, while Noah Nelson added three kills, two aces, and five digs in efficient play on the outside.

Setter Bryce Nehova directed the offense with 16 assists, and libero Kenneth Olmos anchored the back row with four digs as Golden West steadily pulled away in each set to secure the program's first win of the season.

The Rustlers capped the day with another sweep, overcoming a late push from Santa Monica in the third set to complete the perfect opening day.

Golden West hit .268 as a team and placed consistent pressure on the Corsairs with nine service aces. Noah Nelson turned in a standout performance, finishing with nine kills on .375 hitting and 10.5 points. AJ Kuebrich continued his strong day with seven kills on .583 hitting, while Aidan Dubno matched him with seven kills, two aces, and three block assists.

Frankie Gates added five kills on .308 hitting, and John Braunstein helped run the offense with 17 assists, two aces, and six digs. Golden West showed poise late in the third set, closing out the match 27-25 to seal the sweep.

With the two wins, Golden West opens the 2026 season at 2-0 and travel to Antelope Valley College on Wednesday, January 28th for a 6pm start.