After dropping the first set, the Pirate volleyball team bounced back to take the next two, ultimately defeating Citrus College in the full five sets on the road in Glendora. Cassandra Lacanilao and 23 digs and Mehgan Lambert recorded 19 kills to lead Ventura (6-4) in their final non-conference tune-up.
The Pirates trailed most of the first set, the largest deficit being 18-12 for the Owls. VC managed to pull to within two points, 20-18, but could get no closer as Citrus took the early lead winning the set 25-20.
After falling into a 0-4 hole to begin the second, the Pirates caught fire with Lambert, Tori Hiott and Lacanilao serving Ventura to a 12-6 lead. Citrus came back, however, taking a 22-20 lead late before a Citrus sideout, and Sarah Veloz served final four points for Ventura in the 25-22 win.
VC trailed 0-3 in the third before a pair of Hiott kills got the Pirates on the board. Ventura tied the game at 7-7, and the teams played even volleyball for the next 20 points. Lacanilao served three crucial points for the Pirates, giving them a 20-17 advantage late, and Lambert had big kills down the stretch to help VC claim the set, 25-21.
The Pirates started out strong in the fourth set before falling into a 24-19 hole late. Four straight points by the orange and black could not prevent the 25-23 loss to push the match to the deciding set.
With Lacanilao serving, and kills from Kirra Drury and Lambert, the Pirates raced to a 7-0 advantage in the final game. Citrus pulled back to within two, 11-9, but a kill and two service aces from Lambert put the Pirate back in control, leading them to the final set victory, 15-10.
Lambert led the offense with 19 kills and six service aces, while registering eight digs on defense. Lacanilao had four aces to go with her 23 digs while Drury had 12 kills and 11 digs. Veloz had 19 digs and eight kills while Hiott put up 11 digs with six kills. Makeda Pelle recorded seven kills in 13 chances for a .538 hitting percentage.
The Pirates will open Western State Conference North Division play in San Luis Obispo against Cuesta on Friday Oct. 3 before hosting Pierce College on Wednesday Oct. 8. Friday's match is set for 6:00 pm and next Wednesday's will begin at 7:00 pm.