Golden West Makes It 6 Championships in a Row

Golden West continued it dominance of community college women’s volleyball with a sixth consecutive state championship in the gym where the Rustlers won their first title.

Golden West scored a 15-5, 16-14, 15-7 victory Sunday in the title match over Orange Empire Conference rival Saddleback at Golden West High in Visalia.

It was the 10th title in 16 years for Albert Gasparian, who won his first championship in the same building in 1984.

Golden West finished 27-0, the third undefeated season for the Rustlers. Golden West went 28-0 in 1991 and 27-0 in 1993.

Golden West beat Saddleback, the second-ranked team in the state, six times this season and the Gauchos finished 24-6.

“I was worried because we were fighting the law of averages,” Gasparian said. “This is the neatest team I’ve ever had. They are super kids. No team’s been better.”

Gasparian has a record of 365-37 at Golden West.

“We played a really solid all-around match,” he said. “For the first time this year we played really loose, too.”

Saddleback led, 14-10, in the second game but with Golden West’s Annie Sand serving, the Rustlers scored four consecutive points to tie the score.

Freshman outside hitter Lori Daedelow eventually ended the game with a kill for Golden West.

Sophomore middle blocker Meghan Coolbaugh ended the match with a kill, her match-high 22nd. Coolbaugh, from El Modena High, was selected the tournament’s most valuable player.

“I was so excited,” she said about the title and her award. “We accomplished all our goals. It was kind of good that we were playing [Saddleback] because we knew what they can do. You would think they would want a little revenge but we didn’t let them have it.”

Charnette Fair, also a sophomore middle blocker, added 14 kills and sophomore outside hitter Laurel Kokaska had 13. Sophomore setter Carla Miali finished with 50 assists. Coolbaugh has committed to St. Mary’s and Fair is going to Minnesota.

“Our middles were the strength of this team.” Gasparian said.

Fair, Kokaska and Miali joined Coolbaugh on the all-tournament team, along with Saddleback sophomore outside hitters Gina Stivers and Kelly Webb and sophomore setter Richelle Danet. Stivers had 21 kills and Webb 16 against Golden West.

Saddleback had lost to Golden West in four games in the winners’ bracket final Saturday but came back to beat Foothill, 15-5, 15-7, 15-5, earlier Sunday to reach the final.