It has been a frustrating stretch for the Ventura College volleyball team. The Pirates had lost seven straight matches coming into Friday's contest against Glendale, but they had captured at least a set in five of those seven losses and twice lost in five sets. Those frustrations were taken out on the visiting Vaqueros as VC (5-10) was victorious in a 3-0 sweep, 25-16, 25-20, 25-19. Paris Dosch had 11 kills and Rachel Howery handed out 37 assists in the victory.
The Pirates gained the upper hand early in the first set under the serve of Sariah Flores, who led the team to an 11-6 advantage. Braxton Jessie had a big kill to make the score 20-13 and Brianna Finch and the kill to give VC the first set, 25-16.
Glendale took an early 10-6 lead in the second set, but the Pirates kept the heat on, taking a 19-18 lead on Flores' service ace. Howery had an ace to make the score 21-19 and VC eventually won the set, 25-20.
Dosch had a kill and block to help the Pirates to a 5-1 edge in the third set. The Vaqueros came back, however, and took an 11-10 lead midway through. The Pirates were not to be denied, however, as Jessica Gomez had a kill to make the score 22-17. Armonee Hunter recorded back-to-back kills to close out the match 25-19 in the final set.
Jessie and Hunter had 10 and seven kills, respectively, while Flores had 16 digs.
The Pirates resume play at West Los Angeles College on Friday Oct. 7 before returning home to take on Bakersfield on Wednesday Oct. 12.