Behind the strong play of Kayla Murdoch and Kylie Ibbotson, the Pirate volleyball team defeated Los Angeles Mission 23-25, 25-13, 25-17, 25-12 in the final Western State Conference North Division match of the season at the Athletic Event Center. With the triumph, the Ventura (18-3, 8-2) clinched a share of the conference title for the third straight year and for the fourth time in the past five seasons.
The Pirates came out strong in the early going, but an inspired LA Mission team scored seven straight points to take an 11-8 lead in the first set. The sides played even for a few serves until the Eagles won three straight points to stretch their advantage to 18-13. VC answered with three straight winners, including a kill by Ibbotson, prompting an LAMC timeout, before the Eagles reestablished control, racing to set point, 24-19. Ibbotson recorded a pair of winning swings and Liz Schalde had a kill to pull the Pirates to within 24-23 before dropping the first set, 25-23.
In the second set, Ventura followed Murdoch's and Ibbotson's strong play at the net to post a 9-5 margin. VC continued to move ahead of the Eagles throughout the set, and Ibbotson and Brianna Morrison teamed up for back-to-back block winners to put the Pirates ahead 22-13. After serving the final five points, Murdoch put the finishing touch on the set with a back-row kill for the 25-13 triumph to even the match.
Murdoch continued her dominance with three straight kills to begin the third set. Talia Behrens and Ibbotson also hit winners and Autumn Rojelio hit a service ace as Ventura moved ahead 14-8. Murdoch and Ibbotson continued with two more winners for the 18-10 edge before the Pirates won the set, 25-17.
The Pirates went ahead 4-0 in the fourth set on the strength of a Murdoch kill and an ace by Makena Schaumloeffel. As VC built its lead, Schaumloeffel served seven straight winners at one point, including a pair of aces while Murdoch and Behrens each had blocks at the net leading to a 17-8 Ventura advantage. Murdoch closed out the match with a kill and an ace for the 25-12 set win, clinching the 3-1 victory.
Ventura has one regular season contest remaining, a WSC Crossover at Santa Monica on Tuesday Nov. 14. The Southern California Regional Playoffs will likely begin for the Pirates on Tuesday Nov. 21 at the VC Athletic Event Center.