Women Defeat the Dons

SANTA ANA - The Dons lost their final home match of the season in straight sets to Golden West College. The Rustlers (17-5, 9-4) won the match by set scores of 25-9, 25-20 and 25-14.

Golden West took control of the first set from the beginning while the Dons got points early from kills by Chloe Anderson and Fernanda Ruiz. Esther Arroyo and Zaria Saunders would add a kill apiece before Golden West went on to the 25-9 win.

The second set was much closer throughout with the Dons getting the opening point when Anderson and Ruiz combined for a block. Golden West came back with the next four points before grabbing a 6-2 lead.

Arroyo answered with back-to-back points on a kill and a block to pull the Dons within two at 6-4 before the Rustlers took a 10-5 lead. Saunders came back with a kill at 10-6 and later, Arroyo got a kill to make the set 14-11.

After Golden West took a 20-15 lead, the Dons went on a run to pull within two at 22-20. However, it was too little too late as the Rustlers won the second set 20-25.

Golden West opened the third set with a 6-0 run that was finally broken by a Ruiz kill. The Dons would add points later on an Arroyo block and a kill. However, Golden West stayed in control as the Rustlers pulled out to a 15-5 lead. Golden West would go on to win the set, and the match, by a final score of 15-14.