The VC volleyball team went to Santa Barbara with a mission, they came home with a share of the Western State Conference lead. The Pirates defeated the Vaqueros in four sets, 25-10, 25-19, 23-25, 25-15 for a season-sweep of SBCC to pull even with Santa Barbara and Moorpark atop the conference standings with one game remaining. Autumn Rojelio, the heart and soul of the Pirate team, led the way with 28 digs and had her best passer rating of the season from her libero position. Kayla Murdoch recorded 16 kills and seven digs while Kylie Ibbotson had 11 winners and seven digs for Ventura (17-3, 7-2). Talia Behrens had seven kills with a .375 hitting percentage in the victory.
The Pirates came out hot, playing their best volleyball of the season in taking the first set 25-10 over SBCC. The won the second 25-19 before falling in a close third set, 25-23. Ventura took care of business in the fourth set, closing out the match with a 25-15 triumph.
Ashley Johnson handed out 32 assists in the match with five block assists and Behrens added four block assists. Ibbotson hit six service aces while Johnson and Murdoch each had three unreturned serves.
Ventura is now tied atop the Western State Conference standings with Santa Barbara and Moorpark, each with one match remaining. The Pirates will host Los Angeles Mission on Wednesday Nov. 6 for a 6:00 pm match with pre-game festivities honoring VC's sophomore class.