Spikers Fall in Four at Orange Coast

The VC volleyball team's high octane early-season schedule continued Friday as the No. 8-ranked Pirates dropped a four-set decision at No. 14 Orange Coast, 25-23, 25-19, 17-25, 25-15. Shai Daniels led Ventura with nine kills, 11 digs and three aces while Daphne Raymond recorded seven winners at the net with a .389 hitting percentage. Bryce Swain led the defensive effort with 20 digs. Talia Behrens and Callie Cahill led an outstanding effort at the net with five blocks each and Taylor Lane contributed four.

Both the VC Pirates and OCC Pirates made strong runs in the opening set. With the score knotted at 6-6, Ventura went on a 5-2 run to open up an 11-8 margin before OCC returned the favor winning eight of the next nine points for a 16-12 lead. Ventura fell behind 23-18 before three straight kills by Raymond helped Ventura to five straight winners and a 23-23 tie. The hosts won the final two points of the set, however, and took the early 1-0 lead.

Ventura led midway through the second set, 13-11 before Orange Coast went on a 9-1 run to set up their commanding 2-0 advantage.

VC used a 14-3 run in the third set to climb back into the match, turning a 9-8 deficit into a 25-17 set triumph.

OCC turned the momentum back to their favor in the fourth set, opening a 14-4 lead before closing out the match, 25-15.

The young Ventura squad (1-2) had little time to recover as they will host defending state champion San Diego Mesa on Saturday Aug. 31 at 3:00 pm at the Athletic Event Center.