The VC beach volleyball team came from behind twice Friday against Orange County powers, defeating Irvine Valley and Orange Coast by identical 3-2 scores in Irvine. Olivia Sletten and Ashley Johnson notched a pair of wins in the no. 2 slot while Bryce Swain and Kylie Ibbotson won a pair of matches at No. 4. With the victories, Ventura remains unbeaten against community college competition this season and moves their overall record to 6-1.
In the opener, the Pirates narrowly defeated the hosts in five exciting matches. Ventura's No. 1 team of Kayla Murdoch and Autumn Rojelio Moreno narrowly dropped their match 21-19, 21-19 before Slettun and Johnson evened the score with their three-set thriller, 21-18, 13-21, 15-7.The Lasers then came from behind to win the No. 5 contest 17-21, 21-10, 15-8 over Ventura's Grace Williams and Alba Romanos Gracia to take a 2-1 lead in the team score. Swain and Ibbotson then held on to level the match with a razor-close 21-19, 16-21, 15-13 triumph at No. 4. Katey Mulville and Averi Carter then brought the team victory home for VC with another exciting three-set match, edging their opponents 19-21, 21-17, 15-13 for the win at No. 3.
In the nightcap, the VC Pirates handed the Orange Coast Pirates their first loss of the season in another 3-2 nailbiter. After Ventura dropped the No. 1 match, Sletten and Johnson once again pulled the Pirates of the North even with a 21-10, 21-17 win at No. 2. OCC prevailed in No. 3 in straight sets, setting up another VC comeback. Romanos Gracia and Williams survived their three-set test at No. 5, winning 21-11, 16-21, 15-4. Soon thereafter, Swain and Ibbotson came from behind to claim the No. 4 match, 16-21, 21-19, 15-8 to claim the team win for Ventura.
Ventura next heads to Menifee on Friday March 10 in their final non-conference competition, taking on host Mt. San Jacinto and Cerritos colleges.
Ventura 3, Irvine Valley 2
1. Kayla Murdoch/Autumn Rojelio Moreno (VC) lost to Barett Nolan/Sydney Dews (IVC), 21-19, 21-19
2. Olivia Sletten/Ashley Johnson (VC) def. Angie Griego/Gabi Brown (IVC), 21-18, 13-21, 15-7
3. Katey Mulville/Averi Carter (VC) def. Mia Bertolone/Kayla Torres (IVC), 19-21, 21-17, 15-13
4. Bryce Swain/Kylie Ibbotson (VC) def. Tessa Marocco/Emily Hon (IVC), 21-19, 16-21, 15-13
5. Grace Williams/Alba Romanos Gracia(VC) lost to Kendall Fraser/Alessandra Nitogilia (IVC), 17-21, 21-10, 15-8
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 5, 4, 3
Ventura 3, Orange Coast 2
1. Kayla Murdoch/Autumn Rojelio Moreno (VC) lost to Corinne Williams/Brisa Zapata-Reaves (OCC), 21-11, 21-10
2. Olivia Sletten/Ashley Johnson (VC) def. Jesse Coralle/Lexy Mendoza (OCC), 21-10, 21-17
3. Katey Mulville/Averi Carter (VC) lost to Alexandra Selivanov/Paige Cutwright (OCC), 21-11, 21-14
4. Bryce Swain/Kylie Ibbotson (VC) def. Izzy Duchaine/Theresia Amtmann (OCC), 16-21, 21-19, 15-8
5. Grace Williams/Alba Romanos Gracia (VC) def. Kingsley Mason/Leah Thibault (OCC), 21-11, 16-21, 15-4
6. Ana Medrano/Gabby Raines (VC) def. Brielle Goehring/Taliyah Le (OCC) 21-14, 21-16
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3, 5, 4