Spikers Split Final Day Of LA Mission Classic

The VC volleyball team won their semifinal match Saturday in the LA Mission Kickoff Classic before falling in a five-set heartbreaker in the finals of the two-day tournament. The Pirates swept Folsom Lake College 25-8, 25-17, 25-21 before going the distance in the finals with rival Moorpark, falling 10-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-16, 15-9. Alexis Baloyo led the attack for Ventura (3-1) with 13 kills, 32 digs and five services aces on the day while Faith Carillo handed out 41 assists with 14 digs and five aces.

Ventura 3, Folsom Lake 0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-21)

The Pirates marched into the tournament's championship game with a dominant sweep over Folsom Lake College. Nevada Knowles was dominant at the net with 12 kills while hitting at a .455 clip. She also handed out eight assists and had six digs in the match. Carillo had 24 assists on the day with three digs and two aces while Averi Carter recorded seven kills and six digs. Baloyo had five kills and 10 digs and Darynne Bickers had seven kills. Amaris Garcia led the defensive effort with 12 digs in the victory.

Ventura 2, Moorpark 3 (10-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-16, 15-9)

The Pirates marched out to a two-set lead over the Raiders, but could not finish them off, falling in a five-set heartbreaker in the championship match. Baloyo led the effort with eight kills, 22 digs and four aces and Carillo dished out 17 assists with 11 digs and three aces. Knowles also handed out 17 assists while recording 10 digs and three aces in the match. Madelyn Grejada had eight winners at the net for VC while Victoria Whitney hit seven kills. Garcia was solid defensively with 18 digs on the night.

The Pirates travel to Pasadena on Wednesday Sept. 1 before opening their home schedule on Wednesday Sept. 8 against Orange Coast.