Golden West, Orange Coast in Final

The men’s state volleyball title is assured of staying in Orange County for a fourth consecutive year after Orange Coast and Golden West won semifinal matches Friday at American River College in Sacramento.

The teams meet at 7:30 tonight for the championship.

Orange Coast, the Orange Empire Conference champion, beat American River, 15-3, 15-12, 13-15, 15-4. Mike Pixler had 19 kills, Casey Jennings added 15 and Kevin Reid 14 for the Pirates (20-1).

Golden West moved past Long Beach, 15-7, 17-15, 15-6, in the other semifinal as Jeff Carlucci had 24 kills as for the Rustlers (17-3).

Curtis Jackson had 22 kills for the Rustlers (17-3), who lost two matches to Orange Coast this season, including in three games April 19.

Golden West is the defending state champion.

Orange Coast won it in 1994 and Irvine Valley took home the championship in 1993. Los Angeles Pierce won in 1992 and OCC was the champion in 1991.

In the South Coast Conference swimming meet:

Wester sets record--Scott Wester of Golden West set a conference record with a time of 1 minute 39.76 seconds in the 200 freestyle. He also won the 50 freestyle in 21.66.

Yan Gendlin won the 500 freestyle in 4:36.61 as Golden West took the top seven spots in the race. The Rustlers also won the 200 and 400 medley relays.