Pirate Volleyball Outlasts Pasadena in 5-Set Win

The Ventura College volleyball team went on the road for the first time this season and outlasted host Pasadena City College in five sets to bring home the victory, 25-16, 18-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-10. Morgan Gallagher led the No. 22-ranked Pirates (3-2) with 21 kills while Faith Mackie led the defense with 16 digs. Brooklyn Wallet had nine kills and five aces and Kelly Rodriguez recorded seven winners with 14 digs defensively. Raphaella Rosales also put up 14 digs.

VC jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead in the first set and rode the advantage all the way through to the 25-16 set win.

In the second, Pasadena went on a 10-1 run midway through the set to even the match, 25-18.

In the third set, the Pirates dropped the first five points before a PCC attack error and a Wallet service ace got things going. Gallagher sandwiched a pair of kills around a Shantalle Ruiz winner and VC had evened the set at 6-6. The set remained close until Mackie served seven straight winners and the Pirates took the set 25-17.

Ventura kept the hot hand early in the fourth set with Kelly Rodriguez and Wallet serving the Pirates to a 6-1 advantage. The Lancers came storming back, however, and tied the set at 10-10 before the teams traded points for the next 20-plus serves. Ventura managed to take a 23-21 lead on a Gallagher kill, but Pasadena won the final four points to force a deciding fifth set.

Wallet served three straight winners as Ventura led 4-0 to begin the fifth set, and the Pirates held the margin throughout to claim the set 15-10, and the match 3-2.

The Pirates return home on Friday Sept. 14 for a 6:00 pm match against the Cal Lutheran JV team at the Athletic Event Center.