The Pirates' women's tennis team played shorthanded Tuesday in their season opener, yielding two points by default to host Antelope Valley, but still almost managed victory, falling 5-4 to the Marauders. Talia Lieb and Alexis Schmidt won their Pirate debut at No. 1 doubles, then both won in Nos. 1 and 2 singles, respectively. Belladora Moga also won her first VC match in No. 3 singles.
Lieb and Schmidt gave Ventura the early lead with their 8-2 win in No. 1 doubles. AVC then grabbed the lead heading to singles after capturing the point at No. 2 doubles with a win and at No. 3 doubles by default.
Lieb won her No. 1 singles match 6-2, 6-3 and Moga prevailed at No. 3 singles, 6-2, 6-4 to put Ventura back ahead, but the Marauders evened the match with a win at No. 5 singles. Schmidt came from behind to win her No. 2 singles match-up 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 before AVC claimed victory in No. 4 singles. VC dropped the No. 6 singles match by default to give the win to the Marauders.
Ventura makes its 2023 home debut on Tuesday Feb. 7 against Glendale. Doubles play begins at 2:00 pm at the VC Tennis Center.
Ventura 4, Antelope Valley 5
Doubles
1. Leib/Schmidt (VC) def. Padilla /Bush (AVC), 8-2
2. McTigue/Emami (VC) lost to Smithley/Tejeda (AVC), 8-4
3. (VC) lost to Williams/Avina (AVC), default
Singles
1. Talia Lieb (VC) def. Nicole Padilla (AVC), 6-2, 6-1
2. Alexis Schmidt (VC) def. Sydney Bush (AVC), 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
3. Belladora Moga (VC) def. Naia Smithley (AVC), 6-2, 6-4
4. Marcie McTigue (VC) lost to Julie Tejeda (AVC), 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-1
5. Dee Emami (VC) lost to Mary Williams (AVC), 6-1, 6-3
6. (VC) lost to Arianett Avina (AVC), default