In a battle of highly-ranked rivals, the No. 4-ranked Pirate volleyball team defeated No. 11 Moorpark 25-22, 23-25, 25-19, 27-25 Friday at Raider Pavilion. Kayla Murdoch's double-double of 20 kills and 16 digs paced Ventura (16-1, 4-1) while Nevada Knowles posted another triple-double of 17 kills, 25 assists and 12 digs. Amelie Zubia also recorded a double-double with 25 assists and 13 digs. Autumn Rojelio Moreno paced the defense with 26 digs and Katey Mulville hit 11 winners at the net.
In a tightly contested first set, the Pirates came out on top, 25-23 when the Raiders' attack sailed long at set point.
Moorpark was able to create a little breathing room in the second set with a run early, holding a 15-11 advantage. Knowles had a pair of kills and Mulville hit a winner in the middle to pull Ventura to within 18-17. The Raiders continued to hold the lead, however, and Knowles' kill later made it 21-20 for MC. The Pirates were down 24-20, and held on for three straight winners before Moorpark evened the match, winning the set 25-23.
The Pirates started fast in the third set, holding a 8-4 margin on the strength of two winners by Knowles. Moorpark was able to score four consecutive winners, however, tying the set at eight before Murdoch hit three straight winners for a 14-9 VC lead. Murdoch and Knowles each hit another winner as the Pirates moved out 20-14. Moorpark answered with a run to pull within 21-18 before Mulville had a kill to turn halt the Raiders' momentum. Rojelio served the set winner as Ventura moved ahead by a 25-19 count.
VB��: Autumn Rojelio Moreno with the service winner at #setpoint. @VCVolleyball takes set 3 25-19. VC leads match at @MC_Raiders 2-1. @ventura_college @TheAcornSports @vcscolleges @cccwvca pic.twitter.com/ckVuXGXcDm
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) October 22, 2022
The Raiders turned the tables on VC in the fourth set, moving ahead 8-4 before Knowles led a spirited Pirate run to tie the score at 8-8. Knowles, Mulville and Averi Carter played strong at the net, and Murdoch had a back row kill to knot the count at 13. MC then moved ahead, holding a 20-16 lead looking to send the match to a winner-take-all fifth set. Knowles had other ideas, however, recording a pair of kills bringing VC back to a 21-21 deadlock. The Pirates survived a set point at 24-23 before a pair of winners put them on the cusp on clinching the match. Moorpark held on for two winners on VC's match point, but they could not hang on for the third, with the Pirates claiming the victory with a 27-25 win in the fourth.
VB��: Final Score! @VCVolleyball takes 4th set 27-25 to claim match at @MC_Raiders 3-1. SoCal No. 1-ranked Pirates move to 16-1 on the year. pic.twitter.com/fApdEJAbyS
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) October 22, 2022
Ventura had a strong game at the net defensively with Mulville, Brianna Morrison and Kylie Ibbotson each recording four blocks. Murdoch and Knowles each had a pair of defensive stops at the net. Rojelio Moreno had three service aces.
With the Athletic Event Center temporarily unavailable sue to maintenance issues, the Pirates' home date with Santa Barbara on Wednesday Oct. 26 has tentatively been moved to Tuesday Nov. 8. VC's home match with LA Mission is rescheduled for Wednesday Nov. 2 and the Pirates next host LA Pierce on Friday Oct. 28.