VC's No. 2 beach volleyball pair Talia Behrens (15) and Sadie Lishman (2) won two matches Friday against Moorpark and Santa Monica. (photo by Makenna Schaumloeffel)
The VC beach volleyball team split a pair of matches Friday at Moorpark. Ventura defeated the host Raiders 3-2 before falling to Santa Monica by the same score. The Pirates' No. 2 duo of Talia Behrens and Sadie Lishman won both matches on the day without dropping a set while the No. 5 pair of Liz Schalde and Daphne Raymond both won a pair of contests, the second in three sets.
VC opened against the host Raiders and started strong, winning the first set on four out of five courts. The impressive speed of
Addison Olsen and
Giannamay Tayco was overwhelming for Moorpark at the No. 4 spot, as they cruised to a 21-13, 21-12 victory. The No. 1 court was a battle of ball control, defense and strategy between freshmen
Shai Daniels and
Viola Barrios, and Moorpark's seasoned sophomores. Ventura won the first set with an ace by Daniels, 21-19, and after a long rally, fell in the second set 19-21. The wind picked up in the third set and the Pirates were unable to hold on, dropping the match, 11-15. Fortunately, the Nos. 5 and 2 pairs of Schalde and Raymond, and Behrens and Lishman, respectively, were on fire and didn't drop a set to the Raiders. The Pirates prevailed 3-2.
It was evident that the Pirates and Corsairs, who entered the match 8-1 against community college opponents this season, were equally matched and that the dual would be decided by a small margin. In the first set, the Pirates won on two courts, and dropped courts 1 and 4 by 2 points each. VC then began the second set were looking good as Behrens and Lishman took down SMC's previously undefeated No. 2 pair in a decisive 21-15, 21-15 victory. If Raymond and Schalde were able to hold on at the No. 5 spot, the Pirates would need another team to force a third set for a chance to win the dual. Olsen and Tayco had the best chance, tied at 19 at No. 4, but the Corsairs took the next two points to win. VC also dropped Courts 3 and 1 as SMC clinched before Raymond and Schalde won their No. 5 match in three sets with an ace at match point for the 16-14 set win.
The split puts the Pirates in third in the Western State Conference as they approach home matches against Moorpark and Santa Barbara on Friday Mar.28. SBCC defeated Santa Monica 3-2 a week ago, so it promises to be another great day to watch competitive beach volleyball among some of the state's top programs at the Ventura Harbor Cove Courts.
Ventura 3, Moorpark 2
1. Shai Daniels/Viola Barrios (VC) lost to Prior Borick/Grace Hazelton (MC), 19-21, 21-19, 15-10
2. Talia Behrens/Sadie Lishman (VC) def. Bella Torrero/Olivia Campisi (MC), 21-18, 21-9
3. Skylar Rutherford/Lexi Brinkman (VC) lost to Gaby Shirado/Mia Paculan (MC) 21-15, 21-19
4. Addison Olsen/Giannamay Tayco (VC) def. Abby Montana/Ela Lagatutta (MC) 21-13, 21-12
5. Liz Schalde/Daphne Raymond (VC) def. Dea Larch/Danielle Robinson (MC), 22-20, 21-16
Ventura 2, Santa Monica 3
1. Shai Daniels/Viola Barrios (VC) lost to SMC No. 1 (SMC), 23-21, 21-11
2. Talia Behrens/Sadie Lishman (VC) def. SMC No. 2 (SMC), 21-15, 21-15
3. Skylar Rutherford/Lexi Brinkman (VC) lost to SMC No. 3 (SMC), 21-15, 21-11
4. Addison Olsen/Giannamay Tayco (VC) lost to SMC No. 4 (SMC), 21-19, 21-19
5. Liz Schalde/Daphne Raymond (VC) def. SMC No. 5 (SMC), 21-19, 17-21, 16-14
