The Pirate volleyball team had a two-game winning streak halted by the visiting Bakersfield Renegades Wednesday night at the Athletic Event Center. VC (6-11) dropped their final non-conference match of the season in straight sets, 25-16, 25-14, 25-16. Armonee Hunter led Ventura with 10 kills each while Rachel Howery handed out 26 assists.
The Pirates were down 4-1 early in the first set before a pair of Paris Dosch kills brought Ventura back to a 5-5 tie. It was all Renegades from that point, however, as they scored 14 of the next 19 points to take control of the set. The Pirates fell in the first set 25-16.
The second was not much better for the Pirates. They fell behind 7-1 and never threatened. Bakersfield scored six of the final seven points to take the set 25-14.
Ventura showed signs of life early in the third set. Kills by Braxton Jessie and hunter had the Pirates ahead 4-3, and VC kept things close until BC took over midway through. The Renegades closed out the match with a 25-16 win in the final set.
Dosch and Jessie recorded nine and seven kills, respectively, while Sariah Flores had nine digs.
Ventura opens Western State Conference play on Friday Oct. 14 at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. They return home to play Cuesta on Wednesday Oct. 19.