The Pirate beach volleyball team battled NCAA Division I Nebraska Thursday in Santa Monica, faring well against the Cornhuskers in the 5-0 setback. Shai Daniels and Viola Barrios had an excellent opening set at no. 1 while Liz Schalde and Daphne Raymond held an early 11-2 lead at No. 5.
The Cornhuskers' indoor volleyball team has set numerous attendance records, including a match played in Nebraska's Memorial Stadium that brought in 92,000 fans! They've been to 5 NCAA Div. I championship matches in the past 10 seasons, winning the national championship three times. Their beach volleyball program is in its infancy, but includes members of the 2024 NCAA runner-up including Harper Murray, Laney Choboy, and Rebekah Allick. On Thursday, the Pirates embraced the challenge, and competed well against some of the top volleyball players in the nation.
On Court 1, Daniels and Barrios battled back-and-forth in the first set and were tied 13-13 before eventually falling to the Nebraska's No. 1 pair. Talia Behrens recorded 3 blocks at the No. 2 spot against Allick while Schalde and Raymond started their No. 5 match with an 11-2 in the first set lead and narrowly lost 21-18. The Pirates were not intimidated by the stature and athleticism of their opponent, and every point was up for grabs with exciting rallies on all six courts. Ultimately, the Pirates fell 5-0 to the Cornhuskers, but enjoyed the experience and were honored to compete with such an elite volleyball powerhouse.
Ventura returns to conference play on Friday Mar. 21 at Moorpark against the host Raiders and Santa Monica College.
Ventura 0, Nebraska 5
1. Viola Barrios/Shai Daniels (VC) lost to Bergen Reilly/Teraya Sigler (NEB), 21-15, 21-10
2. Sadie Lishman/Talia Behrens (VC) lost to Rebekah Allick/Olivia Mauch (NEB), 21-8, 21-9
3. Skylar Rutherford/Lexi Brinkman (VC) lost to Andi Jackson/Harper Murray (NEB), 21-8, 21-14
4. Addison Olsen/Giannamay Tayco (VC) lost to Laney Choboy/Skyler Pierce (NEB), 21-6, 21-13
5. Daphne Raymond/Liz Schalde (VC) lost to Maisie Boesiger/Taylor Landfair (NEB), 21-18, 21-12
Exh. Taylor Lane/Olivia Brown (VC) lost to Campbell Flynn/Keri Leimbach (NEB), 21-8, 21-4