The Pirate volleyball team bounced back from a difficult week to take a pair of matches at the Pasadena City Quad Saturday. Ventura defeated Citrus in four sets, 25-27, 25-20, 25-16, 27-25 before defeating Antelope Valley , also in four sets, 21-25, 25-22, 25-12, 25-18. Taylor Benitez-Fanslow had a solid day at the net and along the back row with 23 kills and 30 digs on the day to go along with four service aces and six blocks. Bryanna Lovingood ended the day with 16 kills.
Ventura 3, Citrus 1 (25-27, 25-20, 25-16, 27-25)
After dropping the first set in extra points, 27-25, the Pirates came back to take the next three from the Owls in the first match of the day. Braxton Jessie was having a strong performance with nine kills, 12 digs, four aces, and a pair of blocks before being sidelined with an ankle injury. Lovingood recorded nine kills in the match while Benitez-Fanslow had six kills, 16 digs, four blocks and two aces. Daisy Martinez handed out 21 assists while Danielle Garcia had 14 assists and five aces. Jordan Neria also turned in five aces in the victory.
Ventura 3, Antelope Valley 1 (21-25, 25-22, 25-12, 25-18)
For the second time Saturday, Ventura fell in the opening set, 25-21, before winning the next three. Benitez-Fanslow had 17 kills, 14 digs, two aces and two blocks to lead the way. Janessa Simental put away 12 kills at the net while Lovingood had seven winners. Martinez recorded 27 assists and Garcia had 14 helpers. Caryssa Castrejon had 17 digs defensively to go along with four service aces. Maggie Morris had 12 digs and Madeline Bolish had four aces.
Ventura (6-2) will return home on Wednesday Sept. 20 to face Pasadena City College in a 7:00 pm match.