The VC volleyball team maintained its early-season momentum with a 27-25, 25-15, 25-16 sweep at Pasadena City College Wednesday. Kayla Murdoch led the way with 12 kills, seven digs and five aces while Kylie Ibbotson had seven winners offensively and recorded 10 digs on defense. Autumn Rojelio had 12 digs with four aces and Ashley Johnson handed out 27 assists in the victory for VC (3-0).
Ventura took the early 3-1 lead with kills by Makena Schaumloeffel and Murdoch. PCC kept things close, however, taking an 8-7 lead before winners from Ibbotson and Johnson, and an ace by Ibbotson put the Pirates back ahead, 10-8. With VC ahead 16-14, they committed three straight attack errors and fell behind 18-16 prompting a Pirate timeout. Ventura refocused during the break, winning the next two points to even the count. Pasadena held the advantage as the teams traded points and led 22-21 when an Ibbotson kill and a Murdoch ace turned the tables on the Lancers. Ventura moved to set-point with another winner, 24-22, but PCC held on to tie the score at 24 and had their own set-point at 25-24. The Pirates finally put Pasadena away, 27-25 taking advantage of a service error and following with a block by Talia Behrens and an ace by Gracie Piro.
Pasadena maintained their strong play early in the second set, taking a 5-3 advantage. VC was able to right the ship, however, winning 10 of the next 13 points to take control. Schaumloeffel started the run with a winner and Ibbotson followed with consecutive kills. Murdoch had an ace, Behrens had a kill, and Schaumloeffel recorded another winner before Murdoch and Behrens teamed up on a block. Murdoch's kill extended the Ventura lead to 13-8 to close the run. The Pirates continued to hold and grow their advantage through the remainder of the set, claiming the 25-15 win.
The Pirates' superior firepower won out in the third set following a 5-1 start by VC, including a pair of kills from Murdoch. Ventura expanded the advantage to 17-5 before Pasadena made a last run, winning five straight points. Following a timeout, the Pirates quickly turned it around with a pair of kills by Behrens sandwiched around an Ibbotson ace. VC clinched the match with their 25-16 third set triumph.
Behrens was strong in the middle with eight kills while hitting .500 to go along with three blocks, one solo. Schaumloeffel had five winners with six digs and a pair of service aces.
Ventura will host Orange Coast on Friday Sept. 1 in their home opener. The match between the two Pirate teams is slated to begin at 6:00 pm at the Athletic Event Center.