The Pirate volleyball team went the distance with visiting San Diego Mesa Friday night at the Athletic Event Center, falling in five sets, 20-25, 25-22, 25-23, 22-25, 15-12. The hard fought match was marred by a controversial call on the final point, giving the match to the Olympians rather than allowing the Pirates a chance to tie the score with the next serve. Taylor Benitez-Fanslow led VC (8-6) with 17 kills, 16 digs, four blocks and four aces.
In a back-and-forth match, VC took control early in the first set. They jumped out to an 8-3 advantage, and led 17-11 at one point. The Pirates closed out the set, winning 25-20 to take the early edge in the match against the Olympians.
The Pirates continued to control the second set with leads of 9-6 and 20-17. Mesa caught fire at that point, scoring eight of the final 11 points to take the second set 25-22, evening the match at 1 set for each side.
VC continued to hold the upper hand in the third set, posting a 16-13 advantage at one point. But Mesa rallied to take a late 23-20 lead. The Pirates were able to tie the score at 23-23 but the Olympians netted winners on the final two points to take the set 25-23.
The fourth set was a see-saw affair with both teams holding slim leads. The Olympians held a 21-20 margin late, after trailing by one point before VC railed off three straight winners to take control. Despite a Mesa rally, the Pirates took the set 25-23 to set up the fifth and deciding set.
Ventura got off to a bad start in the decider. Mesa scored on a pair of service aces putting VC into an early hole. The Pirates were down 9-4 at one point before claiming three straight winners to get back into the set. They were down 14-11 before earning a sideout and the serve. Trailing 14-12 at the second match point, Mesa's attack appeared to be into the net and bounce back, without a VC touch on the block. The referee allowed play to continue, however, as if the Pirates had blocked the attack, and Mesa went on to win the point, the set 15-12, and the match.
Janessa Simental had 12 kills for VC in the match, while Caryssa Castrejon and Bryanna Lovingood each recorded 10 winners. Castrejon also recorded 15 digs for Ventura. Danielle Garcia had 27 assists, seven digs and a pair of aces while Daisy Martinez handed out 25 helpers and six digs. Jordan Neria had seven digs and a pair of services aces in the match.
Ventura will complete a three-match homestand on Wednesday Oct. 4 at 7:00 pm, hosting West Los Angeles College.