VC Sweeps Cuesta to Split Season Series

On the strength of another balanced attack, the Pirate volleyball team swept visiting Cuesta 25-18, 25-18, 25-20 Friday night at the Athletic Event Center. The victory counters a loss earlier in the season to the Cougars, keeping alive the team's hopes for a playoff berth next month. Caryssa Castrejon led the way with 11 kills and 15 digs while Braxton Jessie recorded 10 kills with 15 digs. Danielle Garcia handed out 24 assists for the Pirates (11-10, 2-3).

VC got off to a fast start, posting the first four points of the match behind Jessie's serve. The Cougars came right back, however, and took a 5-4 lead before the Pirates righted the ship. They soon recaptured control of the set, and led 18-14 prompting a Cuesta timeout.  Ventura was not phased, and scored seven of the final 11 winners to take the first set, 25-18.

The second set stayed close, with the Pirates down 7-6 before Jordan Neria served three winners after a sideout for a 10-7 VC advantage. Ventura led 14-13 at one point before pulling away to take the second set by an identical 25-18 score.

The Cougars came out strong in the third set, and led 14-10 as the Pirates called for a timeout. VC turned a 17-14 deficit into a 20-18 advantage winning six of seven points before claiming the sweep with a 25-20 third set victory.

Garcia also defended with 10 digs and had two service aces for good measure. Castrejon also recorded a pair of aces, as did Madeline Bolish. Bryanna Lovingood hit nine kills while Janessa Simental recorded six winners. Daisy Martinez handed out 15 assists in the Pirate victory.

Ventura next travels to Santa Barbara on Wednesday Nov. 1.