Pirate Athletics Returns for 2022-23

After a banner year for Ventura College athletics in 2021-22, the Pirates are back in action to start the 2022-23 academic year. The season starts on Friday Aug. 26 with VC volleyball hosting its annual Kick-Off Tri with matches against Copper Mountain at 12:00 noon and versus Imperial Valley at 5:00 pm in the Athletic Event Center. The Pirate soccer team also kicks off Friday hosting College of the Canyons at 5:00 pm at the VC Sportsplex. Tickets for both teams' home contests are available online at https://ventura.vbotickets.com/events and can be bought and printed at home. Additionally, fans can scan a QR code at the door and purchase tickets on their smart device.

Volleyball's sophomore setter Nevada Knowles will lead the charge for the spikers as she has been named a "Player to Watch" by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. The Pirates' first AVCA All-American will lead a talented team into the season as they look to defend their Western State Conference North Division crown and extend their stay in the CCCAA Regional Playoffs to the State Elite Eight.

VC Soccer's Alix Tirado is a player to watch on the pitch for Ventura. The reigning WSCN Offensive Player of the Year totaled 27 goals and seven assists for 61 points a year ago in leading the Pirates to a WSC championship. She has a chance to break 2022 VC Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Daisy Cardona's career points record with another solid year. Meanwhile Ashley Tiscareno, the reigning WSCN Defensive Player of the Year, will anchor the Pirate defense as coach Steve Hoffman's side looks for the program's 18th conference title.

The Ventura football team will look to stay atop the Southern California Football Association's Northern Conference, opening the season on Saturday Sept. 3 at home against Moorpark. Tickets for all VC football home games are also available online at https://ventura.vbotickets.com/events.

The Pirates will be led by several JCGridWire.com pre-season All-Americans.  Defensive back Da'Quan Benjamin was named first-team All-American by the online publication while DB Cam Williams earned a second-team nod. The offensive line also received recognition with Julio Ray (third-team) and Caleb Barajas earning mentions and the defensive front earned pre-season distinction with Jonah Rubadue (third-team) and Joseph Hernandez (fourth-team). Linebacker Drew Carter also was named third-team pre-season All-American.

The women's water polo team will host its annual Alumnae Scrimmage on Sunday Aug. 28 at the Ventura Aquatic Center at 11:30 am. Their regular season will begin on Thursday Sept. 8 at home against Cerritos. The ball will drop at the VAC at 1:00 pm.

Men's water polo begins the 2022 season on the road, traveling to Chula Vista for a tournament at Southwestern College on Friday and Saturday Sept. 2-3.

Ventura's men's and women's cross country teams, meanwhile begin their 2022 campaign on Saturday Sept. 3 at the Fresno Invitational.