The Pirate volleyball team had their backs to the wall. After winning the first set in Bakersfield Wednesday evening, 25-16, they dropped the next two 25-18 and 25-22. Facing defeat in the fourth set against the Renegades, they rallied 25-10 and captured the deciding fifth set 15-8 for a 3-2 victory. Kayla Murdoch had another double-double with 26 kills and 10 digs while Makena Schaumloeffel also had a double-double with 14 kills and 16 digs. Ashley Johnson handed out 61 assists in the five-set thriller.
Ventura, ranked No. 5 in the state, dominated the first set with 18 kills to score their 25 points, compared to three for the Renegades. The Pirates easily won 25-16 and it looked like smooth sailing after the long trip.
Things went south in a hurry, however, as No. 24 Bakersfield came back and captured the second set 25-18.
With VC's full attention, the Renegades managed to pull out the third set 25-22 to take a 2-1 advantage in the match, putting the Pirates on the verge of defeat.
Ventura came back strong in the fourth, however, dominating play once again with 17 kills and two service aces, scoring on 82 percent of their serves in earning 25 points. Meanwhile, the Pirates limited BC to eight kills and 10 points to send the match to a deciding fifth set.
In the finale, VC scored on three of every four serves in rallying for the 15-8 triumph to save the match.
The victory is the first in Bakersfield for the Pirates in the 11-year tenure of head coach Brad Lyans.
Murdoch hit .345 in the match with six errors on 58 swings en route to her 26 kills. Talia Behrens hit .462 in the middle with 13 kills and also had three blocks. In addition to her double-double, Schaumloeffel was also solid on serve, scoring at a team-best 58 percent clip with a pair of service aces. Autumn Rojelio anchored the back line with 38 digs defensively and Johnson added 17 digs. Kylie Ibbotson recorded 13 digs in the winning effort for Ventura (9-1).
The Pirates will return home on Friday Sept. 22, hosting College of the Canyons. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm at the Athletic Event Center.