Golden West Tries to Stay No. 1 in Volleyball

The Golden West College women’s volleyball team will try to maintain its No. 1 ranking in the eight-team double elimination state championship tournament starting today at Cypress College.

Golden West (24-1), the top-seeded team in the south, plays Chabot (17-1), the north’s fourth-seeded team, at 11 a.m.

Golden West’s toughest competition should come from Grossmont (18-2), the south’s No. 2 team. Grossmont, the only team to beat Golden West this season, plays Santa Rosa (14-1), the north’s third-seeded team, at 9 a.m.

If Golden West and Grossmont win their first two matches Saturday, they will meet in the semifinal at 11 a.m. Sunday. The final is at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Golden West is led by Barrie Dafforn, the South Coast Conference most valuable player this season. Dafforn, an all-state outside hitter last season, switched to setter this season.