The Pirate volleyball team was part of history on Friday night. Leading 1-0 at Santa Barbara City College, the Pirates and Vaqueros played an epic second set lasting over an hour, ultimately won by SBCC 45-43. The highest-scoring single set in CCCAA volleyball history became a footnote, however, when VC defeated the Vaqueros in the final two sets to claim a 25-20, 43-45, 25-23, 25-19 triumph. Morgan Gallagher had a great all around match with 22 kills, 12 digs, six service aces and a pair of blocks.
Ventura (7-8, 2-1) trailed late in the first set, but outscored SBCC 7-1 down the stretch to take the set, 25-20. Shantalle Ruiz provided the tip for a winner to claim the set.
The second set made history. The teams battled for nearly an hour, and when they got to extra time, neither team could gain the necessary 2-point advantage to end it. Ventura had eight set points and Santa Barbara 13 during the marathon before the Vaqueros prevailed 45-43. It set the record for the highest-scoring single-set in state history since rally scoring began in 2002, the previous high was 39-37.
The Pirates lost the battle but won the war, however, taking down the Vaqueros in the final two sets for the win, 25-23 and 25-19.
Ruiz and Brooklyn Wallet each hit for 11 kills, with Ruiz posting an excellent .472 hitting percentage. Raphaella Rosales and Tatum Teel had eight and seven winners, respectively. Kassidy Wilson distributed 35 assists and Gabby Boado had 26 helpers. Rosales also had four service aces. Defensively, Leslie Perez had 22 digs while Rosales had 19.
After a mid-week bye, Ventura returns home on Friday Oct. 11, hosting Los Angeles Pierce College at 6:00 pm.