VOLLEYBALL: Showing considerable improvement, the Pirate volleyball team split a pair of matches at the LA Pierce Quad Friday in Woodland Hills. VC (1-2) lost to Grossmont College, the No. 17-ranked team at the end of 2012, in three sets, 25-20, 25-18, and 25-18 to begin the day before defeating San Bernardino Valley 25-13, 22-25, 16-25, 25-16, 15-11. Sydney Morris led the way with 20 kills, 16 digs, and five aces in the two matches while Dana Cleavenger handed out 40 assists.
Ventura 0, Grossmont, 3
Morris had seven kills and five digs for VC and Cleavenger recorded 12 assists. Jasmine Perez had 11 assists and Kirra Drury registered eight digs.
Ventura 3, San Bernardino Valley 2
The Pirates registered their first win under first-year head coach Brad Lyans with this come-from-behind five-set thriller. Morris had 13 kills, 11 digs, and five service aces to lead Ventura and Cleavenger handed out 28 assists. Drury and Sarah Veloz had 16 and 12 digs, respectively.
Ventura will open its home schedule in the coming week with a 7:00 pm match against Long Beach on Wednesday Sept. 11 at the Athletic Event Center. The Pirates will host Cal Lutheran's JV team at 3:00 pm on Friday Sept. 13 before tangling with Glendale at 7:00 pm that evening.