After a pair of losses a week ago, the Pirate volleyball team faced its longest road trip of the season Wednesday, traveling to San Luis Obispo to face the Cuesta Cougars. The No. 19-ranked Pirates responded in fine fashion, sweeping past the Cougars 25-14, 25-20, 25-17. Alexis Baloyo led VC (13-5, 5-2) with nine kills and eight digs while Nevada Knowles returned to her primary setter duties with 29 assists, five kills and four digs.
The long trip had no adverse effect on the Pirates as they raced out to a 20-9 lead in the first set before claiming victory 25-14.
Ventura led 20-13 in the second set before the Cougars went on a 7-3 run to pull to within 23-20. VC righted the ship with the final two winners to take firm control of the match.
The teams traded points to begin the third before VC used a 10-3 run to take a 14-10 advantage to match point, 24-13. Cuesta regrouped to win four straight points before the Pirates punctuated the match with the 25-17 set win.
Averi Carter led the defense with 10 digs while Darynne Bickers recorded six blocks in the match for Ventura. Savannah Marchese, making her first start of the season, had seven digs defensively and produced a 2.08 passer rating.
The Pirates return home to host No. 11 Santa Barbara on Friday Oct. 29 at 6:00 pm. They will then host No. 20 Orange Coast on Tuesday Nov. 2 in a make-up from Sept. 8. Tickets for all the Pirates' home matches are available online at https://ventura.vbotickets.com/events.