The Ventura College volleyball team advanced to the state "Sweet 16" with a sweeping 25-21, 25-16, 25-21 playoff victory at No. 7 Irvine Valley College Tuesday. Alexis Baloyo had 15 kills for the No. 10-seeded Pirates while Nevada Knowles handed out 35 assists. Averi Carter and Savannah Marchese anchored the defensive effort with nine and eight digs, respectively, as Ventura (18-6) earned its first playoff victory since 2018.
The Pirates will host No. 15 College of the Canyons in the Southern California Regional Final, details to be announced. The Cougars upset No. 2 Pasadena in another sweep on Tuesday.
The Pirates' bus was 40 minutes late in leaving Ventura, and they took a while to get going in the match. Irvine Valley took a 20-11 lead in the opening set before VC went on a 14-1 run to claim the set 25-21.
Ventura continued their dominance of the Lasers in the second set, bringing it home with a 25-16 score to take a commanding lead in the match.
It wa more of the same for the Pirates in the third, as they defeated IVC 25-21 to take the match in sweeping fashion.
Baloyo hit an incredible .448 in leading the VC attack and Victoria Whitney had 10 kills with a pair of blocks. Miranda DeBeary had seven winners on the night while Knowles and Katey Mulville each recorded five kills. Marchese and DeBeary each had five service aces and Amelie Zubia recorded five digs.
Ventura will host the CCCAA Southern California Regional Finals for the first time since 1999, hosting College of the Canyons. Date and time of the match will be announced on Wednesday Nov. 24.