Volleyball Falls in Four Sets to Santa Barbara

Ventura College women's volleyball falls Santa Barbara City College in four sets (16-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-19). Brittney Mukhar excelled for the Pirate with 16 kills and 16 digs in the match. Jaimelene Salgado dished out 45 assists for the Pirates with Cassandra Lacanilao picking up 20 digs.

In a battle of ranked teams So Cal No. 13-ranked VC (18-7, 7-5) hosted So Cal No. 2-ranked SBCC in the regular season finale for a pair of teams likely headed to the State playoffs. Ventura fresh off a huge road win over rival Moorpark College looked to pick up an upset win at home. 

In the first set Ventura came out aggressive and confident taking a 4-2 advantage. The two teams traded points until the Vaqueros were able to tie the set at 8-8. VC rattled of a 6-1 run to take a 14-9 led, forcing SBCC to take their first timeout. Ventura held onto the five point margin before eventually extending it to seven points 18-11 and cruised in for a 25-16 win in set one.

Up one set to none, the Pirates jumped out to a 5-3 advantage. The set was tied up 7-7 and the two teams traded single points until Santa Barbara took a 16-13 advantage and VC called a timeout. Ventura came out of the timeout to go on a 4-1 run to tie the set at 17-17 which SBCC responed to with their own 5-1 run forcing the Pirates into a timeout down 22-18 eventually falling 25-18.

The match tied up at one set to one set, the third set followed a similar pattern with VC taking an early advantage and the two teams eventually playing to a tie score and trading points. Ventura went back on top 11-10 and held the advantage until SBCC overtook them 15-14 and extended it to 21-15 when Ventura called a timeout. The Pirates were unable to gain momentum out of the timeout and fell 25-16.

With their backs against the wall Ventura need a win to force a decisive fifth set. Ventura went up 5-3 early, but SBCC rattled off three straight points and never trailed again in the set. Ventura kept it close till a 10-10 tie, when SBCC went on a 8-3 run and the Pirates were unable to overcome the large deficit dropping the set 25-19 and the match three set to one.

Armonee Hunter added 12 kills with Paris Dosch picking up 10 kills. Tori Hiott added 10 digs for the Pirates while Salgado added six digs to her 45 assists.

Ventura will await their fate for the CCCAA State Volleyball playoffs. Should the Pirates be selected it will mark back to back seasons in post-season play for Ventura.