Pirates Win Pair in Huntington Beach

VC's Alexis Baloyo (3) goes for the kill at the net while her partner Amelie Zubia (13) prepares for a return during Friday's matches in Huntington Beach. Ventura defeated Rio Hondo 4-1 and swept host Santa Ana 5-0.
VC's Alexis Baloyo (3) goes for the kill at the net while her partner Amelie Zubia (13) prepares for a return during Friday's matches in Huntington Beach. Ventura defeated Rio Hondo 4-1 and swept host Santa Ana 5-0.

The VC beach volleyball team won a pair of matches in Huntington Beach on Friday, defeating Rio Hondo 4-1 before sweeping host Santa Ana 5-0. Monica Montoya and Lexi Donnelly led the way with a pair of sweeps in their No. 4 slot while Alexis Baloyo and Amelie Zubia (No. 1), Grace Williams and Madelyn Grajeda (No. 3), and Amaris Garcia and Katey Mulville (No. 5) also recorded two wins on the day.

In the opener against the Roadrunners, Montoya and Donnelly recorded the first point of the day at No. 4, 21-7, 21-8. Garcia and Mulville then posted their 21-12, 21-13 win in the No. 5 slot and Baloyo and Zubia clinched the match with a come-from-behind 15-21, 21-14, 15-9 triumph in the 1's position. Williams and Grejada added icing to the cake with a win at No. 3, 21-11, 19-21, 15-8.

Against the hosts, VC (4-0) did not drop a set in their 5-0 victory. Garcia and Mulville had it easy with a forfeit win at No. 5 and Baloyo and Zubia won easily, 21-7, 21-7 in the No. 1 slot. Savannah Marchese and Averi Carter rebounded from an earlier defeat to win in the 2's position, 21-14, 21-16 before Williams and Grajeda recorded the "W" at No. 3, 21-8, 21-16. Montoya and Donnelly closed the day with a 21-16, 21-15 victory at No. 4.

The Pirates next travel to the Avenue H Beach Courts in Redondo Beach on Friday Feb. 18 to take on 4-year schools San Diego Christian and Marymount California University.

Ventura 4, Rio Hondo 1

1. Alexis Baloyo/Amelie Zubia (VC) def. Rio Hondo No. 1, 15-21, 21-14, 15-9
2. Savannah Marchese/Averi Carter (VC) lost to Rio Hondo No. 2, 21-15, 22-20
3. Grace Williams/Madelyn Grajeda (VC) def. Rio Hondo No. 3, 21-11, 19-21, 15-8
4. Monica Montoya/Lexi Donnelly (VC) def. Rio Hondo No. 4, 21-7, 21-8
5. Amaris Garcia/Katey Mulville (VC) def. Rio Hondo No. 5, 21-12, 21-13

Order of Finish: 4, 5, 2, 1, 3

Ventura 5, Santa Ana 0

1. Alexis Baloyo/Amelie Zubia (VC) def. Santa Ana No. 1, 21-7, 21-7
2. Savannah Marchese/Averi Carter (VC) def. Santa Ana No. 2, 21-14, 21-16
3. Grace Williams/Madelyn Grajeda (VC) def. Santa Ana No. 3, 21-8, 21-16
4. Monica Montoya/Lexi Donnelly (VC) def. Santa Ana No. 4, 21-16, 21-15
5. Amaris Garcia/Katey Mulville (VC) def. Santa Ana No. 5, forfeit

Order of Finish: 5, 1, 2, 3, 4