Playing under the new lights inside the Athletic Event Center, the Pirate volleyball team won the final three sets to defeat Cal Lutheran's JV team 23-25, 25-21, 25-14, 25-19 Friday night. Armonee Hunter had 14 kills, including the winner on match point to lead Ventura (4-3) in the win. Paris Dosch and Jessica Gomez each had 10 kills in the match wile Mikayla Spears handed out 27 assists.
In the opening set, Ventura held an advantage most of the way, but could never put away the Regals. The Pirates held a 23-22 lead after a kill from Hunter, but could not hold on, dropping the final thee points and the set, 25-23.
VC trailed 11-10 in the second set before scoring ssix digs while ven of the next nine points. Spears began the rally with the serve and Hunter had a strong kill to make the score 20-14, forcing a CLU timeout. The Pirates built their advantage to 24-16 before the Regals rallied to colse to within 24-21. Dosch had a block to seal the 25-21 set win and even the match.
The Pirates opened a 20-11 lead in the third set, claiming a 25-14 win. In the deciding set, Brianna Finch had a big winner at 17-13, and Hunter finished things off with the hit as Ventura won the set 25-29, and the match 3-1.
Dosch and Hunter added eight and six blocks, respectively, and Sariah Flores led the defense with 31 digs. Finch had eight blocks and Rachel Howery gave out 19 assists. Spears and Braxton Jessie each recorded 13 digs.
Ventura will travel to the Fullerton Quad on Saturday Sept. 10, playing the host Hornets and Golden West before heading to play Mt. San Jacinto and Pasadena at the PCC Quad on Wednesday Sept. 14. The Pirates return home on Friday Sept. 16 against Mt. San Antonio at 7:00 pm.