The Ventura College volleyball team made quick work of LA Mission College, defeating the Eagles in three straight sets, 25-19, 25-16, 25-19, Wednesday at the Athletic Event Center. Vanessa Ihrke had seven kills to lead the balanced attack for Ventura (6-8, 1-1) and Tatum Teel had six kills. Nine different Pirates recorded winners in the match. Kassidy Wilson and Julia Stalker handed out 12 and 10 assists, respectively, and Raphaella Rosales led the defense with 17 digs.
Behind winners from Morgan Gallagher and Brooklyn Wallet, the Pirates raced out to a 5-1 lead in the opening set. Ihrke had a kill to make it 10-4 and Gabby Boado's ace put VC ahead 19-10. Ventura claimed the opener 25-19.
In the second set, Ventura took the early lead again, and Ihrke's hit that skirted the net before falling over for a winner made it 10-4. Teel and Shantalle Ruiz had back-to-back kills for a 14-7 advantage, followed by and ace by Miranda Unzueta and another big hit from Gallagher. Ruiz and Teel shared a block for a 22-11 margin and Victoria Whitney's block put VC at set point, 24-13. Koko Kester had the kill on the set winner for the 25-16 win.
The third set remained closer with the Eagles making a run at the Pirates. Ihrke's deep ace gave Ventura a 6-5 advantage, by the Pirates soon fell behind 12-9.VC then had four straight winners, including another shared block by Ruiz and Teel, and they regained the lead, 13-12. Stalker had an ace to extend the VC lead to 19-15, and Teel's block on match point sealed the victory.
Gallagher recorded five kills in the match while Kester, Ruiz and Whitney all had three winners. Stalker and Boado each had four services aces and Wallet had three winners on the serve.
The Pirates next face a key Western State Conference test at Santa Barbara City College on Friday Oct. 4. The match with the Vaqueros begins at 6:00pm at the SBCC Sports Pavilion.