The Ventura College volleyball team opened the 2017 season with a pair of wins in the annual VC Kick-Off Quad Friday at the Athletic Event Center. The Pirates opened the day with a straight-set win over Los Angeles Trade Tech College before coming back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Imperial Valley 3-2. Taylor Benitez-Fanslow, Braxton Jessie and Brianna Lovingood all had solid days at the net for the Pirates while Danielle Garcia and Daisy Martinez led the Pirates in assists.
Ventura 3, LA Trade Tech 0 (25-8, 25-14, 25-16)
The Pirates made quick work in the opener, defeating the Beavers 25-8, 25-14, 25-16. Jessie led the attack with nine kills, 21 digs and six service aces while Janessa Simental recorded five kills. Martinez and Garcia each handed out 14 assists.
Ventura 3, Imperial Valley 2 (23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-19, 15-8)
VC made things difficult in the second match of the day, falling behind 2-0 to Imperial Valley before coming back for the win. The Pirates lost a late advantage in the first set, falling 25-23 before dropping the second, 25-21. The Pirates came back in the third set, however, posting a 25-23 win before wearing down the Lady Arabs 25-19 in the fourth set and 15-8 in the decider.
Benitez-Fanslow led the way with 24 kills, 24 digs and three aces and Lovingood had 11 winners. Garcia handed out 26 assists while Martinez hit for 24 helpers in the match. Jordan Neria had 12 digs defensively.
Ventura (2-0) will travel to the Victor Valley Quad in Victorville with matches against the host Rams and Mt. San Jacinto College on Friday Sept. 2. They return home on Friday Sept. 8 against Golden West at 2:00 pm.