The Pirate volleyball team played well Friday night, but was not able to put away No. 3-ranked Moorpark, dropping a 25-23, 25-22, 25-16 decision to the Raiders at the Athletic Event Center. Raphaella Rosales had seven kills and 10 digs for Ventura (8-9, 3-2) and Morgan Gallagher also turned in seven kills with nine digs. Leslie Perez led the defense with 12 digs and Kassidy Wilson handed out 17 assists.
The first set was a dog fight with the rivals battling back and forth. Gallagher had an ace to even the score at 5-5, and Tatum Teel served the Pirates to a 13-10 advantage inducing a Moorpark timeout. A Gallagher kill put VC ahead 22-20 before the Raiders came back with four straight winners to establish set point. A violation gave the serve back to Ventura, but the Raiders were able to earn a side out and take the set, 25-23.
The second set played out just a close, with Moorpark taking a time out ahead 14-13 and the teams playing to a tie at 17-17. The Pirates took a 20-19 lead when the Raider attack hit the antenna, and the extended the lead to 21-19 before MC scored six of the final seven winners to take the set 25-22.
The Raiders asserted more control in the third set, holding leads of 10-6 and 15-10. Ventura managed to close the gap to within 18-14, but they just did not have enough in the tank for the comeback. Moorpark scored seven of the final nine points of the set to take it 25-16, sweeping the match 3-0.
Brooklyn Wallet and Shantalle Ruiz each recorded four kills for the Pirates while Gabby Boado handed out nine helpers. Rosales and Gallagher each turned in three service aces and Wallet had a pair of blocks at the net.
Despite the setback, Ventura remains in the hunt for the program's fifth playoff appearance in the past six years. They will next travel to Los Angeles Mission College on Friday Oct. 25.