Spikers Avenge Only Loss in Sweep of SBCC

One day after inexplicably being knocked from Southern California's No. 1-ranking despite a six-match winning streak, the VC volleyball team avenged its only loss of the season with a strong 25-22, 25-22, 25-18 sweep over Santa Barbara Tuesday night at the Athletic Event Center. Kayla Murdoch hit 18 kills and Nevada Knowles recorded 32 assists as Ventura (20-1, 8-1) clinched at least a share of the Western State Conference North Division title for the second year in a row and the third time in four seasons.

The first set was a slugfest between the state No. 5-ranked Pirates and No. 15 SBCC. Murdoch had a big kill to break a 13-13 tie before the Vaqueros scored four of the next five points prompting a VC timeout. Katey Mulville responded with a pair of winners and Knowles hit an ace and the Pirates marched back ahead 19-17. Kylie Ibbotson had a kill and Knowles scored on a quick set across the net for a 23-22 Pirate advantage before Murdoch hit back-to-back kills to close out the set, 25-22.

Ventura took the early edge in the second set, moving out to an 11-5 margin resulting in a SBCC timeout. Brianna Morrison drove a quick set from Knowles into the ground in the middle, and a Vaquero hitting error then put the Pirates up 16-10. Santa Barbara kept battling, however, winning six straight points, and they took a 21-19 lead late. After a Santa Barbara service error, a kill from Averi Carter, and a Knowles ace, the Pirates flipped the script. Mulville then recorded a kill, SBCC returned a ball wide, and Mulville and Ibbotson combined for a block to give the Pirates a commanding lead, 25-22.

Carter began the third set with an ace, and it got better from there. Ventura scored the first five points to put the Vaqueros on their heels. Murdoch had a major-league kill to make it 8-3 before Santa Barbara made one final push. The Vaqueros tied the score at 13, and led 16-15. The Pirates had enough at that point and rode the right arm of Murdoch on a 6-1 run.  On match point, VC went to Murdoch one last time for the winner to clinch the sweep 25-18.

Mulville came in behind Murdoch with nine kills and a team-best .420 hitting percentage. Knowles had six winners and three aces to go along with her assist total and Autumn Rojelio Moreno led the defensive effort with 24 digs to go along with seven assists. Ibbotson contributed 13 digs to go along with four blocks, two solo, and Mulville added three blocks at the net.

Ventura will go for the outright conference title hosting Cuesta on Wednesday Nov. 9 at 6:00 pm.  They will close the regular season on Tuesday Nov. 15 hosting College of the Canyons.