The Ventura College volleyball team split a pair of matches Wednesday at the Athletic Event Center to open the 2019 season. VC (1-1) swept Cuyamaca College 27-25, 25-12, 25-15 in the afternoon contest before falling to San Diego Mesa 25-19, 25-12, 25-22 in the nightcap. Brooklyn Wallet and Morgan Gallagher led the offense with 18 and 16 kills on the day, respectively, while Leslie Perez had 28 digs. Kassidy Wilson handed out 33 assists in the two matches.
Ventura 3, Cuyamaca 0 (27-25, 25-12, 25-15)
In the opener, the Pirates had some first-game jitters, falling behind the Coyotes by as many as seven points in the first set. VC mounted a furious charge to close the set, however, holding off two Cuyamaca set points before bringing it home 27-25.
Ventura was dominant from that point on, winning the final two sets 25-12, 25-15 to complete the sweep.
Wallet had a phenomenal opener with 13 kills, posting a.867 hitting percentage. Gallagher had six kills and Tatum Teel recorded five winners. Wilson had 18 helpers and Julia Stalker provided 14 assists offensively while Perez had 20 digs in the opener to lead the defense.
Ventura 0, San Diego Mesa 3 (25-19, 25-12, 25-22)
Ventura's second match of the day was Mesa's first, and at times, it showed. In a warm and muggy AEC, VC could not keep up with the increased intensity brought by the Olympians from the first point of the match. The Pirates trailed in the first set 24-15 before four straight winners closed the gap in an 25-19 Mesa set win. VC could not get untracked in the second set, as well, falling 25-12.
Ventura finally showed some signs of life in the third set but it was not enough to overcome their early deficit. The final frame was close all the way through before VC fell 25-22 to yield the match.
Gallagher led the offense with 10 kills and Wilson had 15 assists. Stalker recorded nine helpers. Raphaella Rosales had 10 digs defensively and Perez had eight defensive stops.
Ventura hits the road on Friday Aug. 30 for a 5:30 pm match in Huntington Beach at Golden West College.