Ventura College women's volleyball team traveled to Moorpark College and picked up a four set victory over the Raiders. Ventura was paced by Armonee Hunter and Paris Dosch with 15 kills a piece. Tori Hiott and Brittney Mukhar each added 10 kills. Jaimelene Salgado dished out 45 assists.
It had been a long time since the Pirates had taken a victory over Moorpark College, 17 straight matches to be exact. Yet, the So Cal No. 13 ranked Pirates were ready to not let the streak extend any further. In a match ripe with playoff implications a victory not only ended the streak, but put Ventura in great shape for earning a berth in post-season play.
Playing close for the first five points a piece Ventura was able to go on a run to go up 9-7, holding the advantage until a 16-16 tie late in the set. Moorpark ran off four straight points to go up 20-16 before VC cut into the advantage getting as close as 20-18 before the Raiders were able to claim five straight points to win the first set 25-18.
With history against them and down one set, VC set about evening the match taking an early 4-0 advantage over MC. The Raiders rallied back and the two teams were tied at 8-8. When MC took a 16-15 advantage the Pirates went on a four point run to go up 19-16 on a Hunter tip to force and MC timeout. Later with the two teams locked in a 22-22 tie Ventura was able to overcome the Raiders and take set two 25-23 to even the match.
Following the pattern of the second set Ventura came out and scored the first three points of the set before Moorpark was able to get on the board. But, VC was determined to get ahead in the match and went on an offensive outburst going up 16-9 and eventually went on top 24-16. When Moorpark claimed back to back points, VC utilized a timeout. Mukhar came out with a kill and the Pirates picked up the victory 25-18 and the advantage in the match two sets to one.
One set away from breaking a multi-year long streak and putting themselves in prime position for a playoff berth, Ventura stared at an early 4-1 deficit. This team though refused to go away and battled back for a 7-5 advantage and VC never relinquished the advantage. Jumping out to an 11-7 advantage and later 17-9, Ventura began to distance themselves from the Raiders. MC never got back into the set and Ventura claimed a 25-16 victory for a three sets to one win.
Cassandra Lacanilao collected 20 digs in the match, while Hiott picked up 12 digs of her own. Ventura had eight service aces in the four sets fronted by Hiott, Mukhar and Lacanilao who each had two aces.
Ventura will wrap up regular season play on Friday Nov. 13 when they will host second place Santa Barbara City College at 7:00 pm in the Ventura College Athletic Event Center.