The VC beach volleyball team continued Western State Conference play Friday "visiting" the Ventura Harbor courts. On a cool and foggy morning at the beach, the Pirates defeated "host" Bakersfield 4-1 before falling in a close match to Santa Barbara 3-2. VC's No. 5 pair of Grace Williams and Madelyn Grajeda won both of their matches on the day.
In the opener, Williams and Grajeda got Ventura (9-3, 3-1) on the board with their easy 21-3, 21-13 win the the No. 5 match. Alexis Baloyo and Amelie Zubia soon followed with a 21-10, 21-19 victory in the No. 1 slot for a commanding 2-0 lead. After VC dropped the No. 2 match with a razor-close 15-13 third set, Amaris Garcia and Katey Mulville clinched the win for the Pirates with a 21-18, 21-123, 15-13 triumph at No. 3. Monica Montoya and Lexi Donnelly finished the contest against the Renegades with a 21-18, 17-21, 15-10 win at No. 4.
In the second match of the day, the Pirates jumped out to the early lead when Williams and Grajeda swept their No. 5 slot 21-16, 21-12. The Pirates then went ahead 2-0 when Savannah Marchese and Averi Carter posted a 21-14, 21-19 triumph at No. 2. VC still faced an uphill climb to victory, however, as they had dropped the first set in the remaining three matches. Despite their best efforts, the Pirates dropped the Nos. 1, 3 and 4 contests with two-point losses in the clinching second set to fall 3-2.
Ventura next travels to Santa Monica on Friday April 1 to take on Glendale and Moorpark.
Ventura 4, Bakersfield 1
1. Alexis Baloyo/Amelie Zubia (VC) def. BC No. 1, 21-10, 21-19
2. Savannah Marchese/Averi Carter (VC) lost to BC No. 2, 21-19, 10-21, 15-13
3. Amaris Garcia/Katey Mulville (VC) def. BC No. 3, 21-18, 21-23, 15-13
4. Monica Montoya/Lexi Donnelly (VC) def. BC No. 4, 21-18, 17-21, 15-10
5. Grace Williams/Madelyn Grajeda (VC) def. BC No. 5, 21-3, 21-13
Ventura 2, Santa Barbara 3
1. Alexis Baloyo/Amelie Zubia (VC) lost to SBCC No. 1, 21-12, 24-22
2. Savannah Marchese/Averi Carter (VC) def. SBCC No. 2, 21-14, 21-19
3. Amaris Garcia/Katey Mulville (VC) lost to SBCC No. 3, 21-13, 22-20
4. Monica Montoya/Lexi Donnelly (VC) lost to SBCC No. 4, 21-11, 21-19
5. Grace Williams/Madelyn Grajeda (VC) def. SMC No. 5, 21-16, 21-12