Golden West Wins Volleyball Title

Al Gasparian predicted Golden West College would win the state women’s volleyball title, and the Rustlers proved their coach a fine fortune teller Sunday at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria.

Golden West defeated Grossmont, 2-15, 15-12, 15-11, 15-9, to take the title, its second in the last three years. It’s the fourth state volleyball championship for Golden West and the third for Gasparian.

Golden West (25-3) reached the final match with a 10-15, 15-6, 16-14, 10-15, 15-10 victory over DeAnza earlier Sunday. It was the first loss of the season for DeAnza, which had defeated Golden West twice earlier.

Grossmont (21-6) eliminated DeAnza later Sunday to advance to the final.

Joli Eberhart had 21 kills for Golden West in the championship match and was selected the tournament’s most valuable player.

“I’m totally excited,” she said. “It was shaky after the first game. It was like we didn’t even have a chance. But we came back and got it together.”