The Pirate volleyball team opened the season with its best run in over a decade, winning four straight over the first two weekends of the season. This week has been a different story, however, as VC seems to have lost its confidence the last two outings, continuing that trend Friday afternoon with a three-set loss to Golden West, 25-17, 25-22, 25-18 at the Athletic Event Center. Taylor Benitez-Fanslow had 10 kills and 16 digs to lead the way for VC (4-2).
The Pirates played well in stretches against the Rustlers. After falling behind early, they closed the gap to 20-16 in the first set before dropping five of the final six points.
In the second set, VC kept it close the whole way, trailing by a 17-15 margin at one point before falling by just three points.
Ventura dropped off early in the third set, only to make a strong comeback, forcing a Golden West timeout with the score at 16-12.
Danielle Garcia handed out 22 assists in the match, and Caryssa Castrejon recorded eight digs. Madeline Bolish had a pair of service aces and three digs.
Ventura will take the next week to regroup before heading to the Pasadena Quad on Saturday Sept. 16. The Pirates will take on Antelope Valley and Citrus at the event before hosting Pasadena on Wednesday Sept. 20.