COMMUNITY COLLEGE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL : Streaking Golden West Sweeps OCC to Return to State Finals

HUNTINGTON BEACH —  The various winning streaks of the Golden West women’s volleyball team are getting so long that even Coach Albert Gasparian has a hard time keeping them straight.

Golden West swept visiting Orange Coast, 15-6, 15-4, 15-3, in the Southern California playoffs to earn a berth in the State tournament, which starts Thursday in Sacramento.

With the sweep, Golden West has won 62 consecutive matches over three years. The Rustlers have also won 61 games in a row and 81 of 82 this season.

Golden West (27-0) also has won two State titles in a row and three of the last four.

But the one thing Gasparian remembers exactly is the last time his team lost.

“Nov. 10, 1990, in a tournament, twice in the same day to DeAnza,” he said.

Sophomore outside hitter Tracy Schriber overcame a sore calf Tuesday to get 13 kills and 11 digs and key Golden West’s attack. She, like several of her teammates, was almost as effective with touch shots as spikes.

Sophomore middle blocker Heather Flaherty added 11 kills and 12 digs and freshman middle blocker Debbie Howard had 11 kills. Freshman outside hitter Becki Gehlke had nine kills. Jessica Lee, a freshman setter, added 49 assists.

Sophomore outside hitter Bryn Gillis had 11 kills for Orange Coast, which ends its season 13-8. Three of the losses were to Golden West.

Golden West opened quick leads in all three games to force OCC Coach Chuck Cutenese to call timeouts early on.

“Our ball control was pretty good tonight,” Gasparian said. “It’s hard to beat a team three times in a year. I was worried they could get us tonight.”