The Ventura College volleyball team had an up and down night, and still had a shot late against visiting Moorpark, falling in four sets to the Raiders 25-18, 19-25, 25-12, 25-22 at the Athletic Event Center Friday night. Taylor Benitez-Fanslow had 18 kills, 15 digs and three service aces to lead the Pirates while Braxton Jessie recorded seven kills and 10 digs for the Pirates (9-10, 0-3).
Ventura came out strong taking an early 12-9 advantage against the conference-leading Raiders. Following a MC timeout, the Pirates went cold, losing eight of the next nine points as the Raiders assumed control of the set. VC eventually dropped the opener 25-18.
The second set was made up of runs by both teams. VC opened 9-4 before Moropark came back to take a 14-13 advantage. Carina Cates served four straight winners as the Pirates then took control, and Ventura eventually led 22-14. Bentiez-Fanslow had a big kills to make it 23-15 and VC held on to even the match 25-19.
All of the energy left the Pirates in the third set. With Moorpark leading 4-3, VC gave up seven straight winners, handing the Raiders the set, 25-12.
In the fourth, the Pirates came back strong, playing the Raiders point-for-point. Neither team managed to gain the upper hand and the Pirates received a big boost from Caryssa Castrejon off the bench with four kills in the set. VC held an 18-16 lead at one point, but could not hold on as MC gained the advantage. Ventura was still within a point at 22-21, but a Raider winner spelled the Prirates' demise as Moorpark claimer the set 25-22, winning clinching the match, 3-1.
Janessa Simental had six kills for VC and Bryanna Lovingoon recorded four bblocks. Daisy Martinez and Danielle Garcia had 20 and 18 assists, respectively.
The Pirates will next hit the court on Wednesday Oct. 25 at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. They return home to face Cuesta on Friday Oct. 27. Both matches begin at 6:00 pm.