Two of the three teams in a first place tie in the Western State Conference North Division met Friday night at a raucous Athletic Event Center with the Pirates' volleyball team coming up short 20-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-16 to visiting Moorpark. Nevada Knowles had 10 kills and 16 assists to lead the No. 14-ranked Pirates. Katey Mulville and Darynne Bickers each recorded eight winners while Alexis Baloyo had seven kills with 10 digs in the match.
Although the first set remained close throughout, the Pirates were on the short end of the score for much of it. Moorpark, who entered the game ranked No. 12 in the state, jumped out to a 6-2 lead early and led 12-9. An ace from Amelie Zubia made it 13-11 before the Raiders won three straight points to open up a 16-11 advantage. The Pirates countered with another mini-run to close to within 18-15, but MC countered to extend the lead back to five.
Moorpark followed with a service error and Mulville hit a winner to open the door for VC. With Knowles on serve, Bickers and Mulville winners combined with a pair of MC errors gave Ventura the 21-20 lead. VC then won on an ace from Knowles and a Mulville tip before Bickers' hit was tipped out as the Pirates took the first set 25-20 on the strength of 10 straight points.
The momentum quickly waned for the Pirates, however, as Moorpark opened up a 10-6 lead in the second set. The advantage continued to grow through a pair of VC timeouts and the Raiders claimed the set, 25-14.
Ventura's play picked up in the third set, but Moorpark continued to play from ahead. Knowles had a nice tip to even the set at 5-5, and the Raiders received a beneficial call on a close tip call on a long attack to go ahead 14-11. VC continued to battle, and trailed 22-18 before scoring two straight winners, including a rally during which they persevered after MC thought they had the point won. VC could not capitalize on the moment, however, and Moorpark won the set 25-22.
The Pirates had one more rally left as Knowles had three big kills and Baloyo recorded an ace ato even the fourth set at 10. The Raiders scored six of the next seven points to take control, eventually winning the set 25-16 and the match 3-1.
Amaris Garcia and Zubia each had nine digs defensively in the match Zubia also had 17 assists.
Ventura (12-5, 4-2) next travels to Cuesta College on Wednesday Oct. 27.