Volleyball back on track at Hancock

The VC volleyball team got back on track Friday evening with a straight-sets win at Allan Hancock College. Madison Mierau and Josephine Rausch each had quality performances at the net with 12 kills each, hitting .360 and .344, respectively. Shai Daniels again led the defensive effort with 26 digs while Valeria Ibarra and Monaye Ramessar handed out 20 and 17 assists, respectively. Rausch added 11 digs for another double-double.

Ramessar began the match serving five straight winners, as the Pirates jumped on the Bulldogs early. Sadie Lishman had a service ace for a 12-6 Ventura margin and Callie Cahill's kill extended the lead to 15-7. A Daphne Raymond winner made it 19-10 and Mierau's kill pushed the advantage to 21-11. Ibarra's service ace put the Pirates up to set-point, 24-11, and VC took the opener, 25-13.

Rausch had a kill to put VC ahead 8-7, and Addison Olson hit a winner an an ace, and Taylor Lane also earned a point with a kill for an 11-7 Pirate lead. Rausch, Cahill and Lane all hit winners to begin a 6-0 Ventura run late, followed by an ace by Olson, another kill from Rausch and an Ibarra winner for a 22-15 advantage. Rausch and Mierau closed out the set with kills for the 25-17 win.

Rausch, Raymond and Mierau each hit winners during another quick start for the Pirates as they led the third set 4-1. Hancock came back, however, and the teams went back-and-forth before the the set deadlocked at 20-20 late. Mierau hit a pair of kills to give the Pirates the 22-20 edge, and Olson had a winner for a 23-21 score.  Cahill put the finishing touches on the victory with a winner at match-point for the 25-22 set win.

After a mid-week bye, Ventura will return to action hosting Los Angeles Pierce College on Friday Nov. 17.