Volleyball Outlasts Santa Monica for Win in Five

The Pirates' volleyball team outlasted Santa Monica in a five-set marathon Friday at the Athletic Event Center, winning 20-25, 25-23, 25-19, 18-25, 15-9. Ashley Johnson handed out an astonishing 50 assists with 20 digs for VC, ranked No. 6 in the state, while Kayla Murdoch and Makena Schaumloeffel also had double-doubles with kills and digs against the No. 25-ranked Corsairs. Autumn Rojelio had 21 digs to lead the defense.

The Corsairs jumped on the Pirates early, taking a 6-1 lead i the first set prompting a VC timeout. The Pirates then played catch-up for the remainder of the set, coming to within 13-9 and 22-19 before falling 25-20.

Ventura trailed 10-6 in the second set before working their way back to tie the score at 17-17, forcing a Santa Monica timeout. Schaumloeffel served VC to set-point, 24-22 and Murdoch hit a kill to clinch the set for the Pirates, evening the match.

The Pirates began to hit their stride, holding advantages of 10-6 and 17-11 before SMC came back to within 20-18. Ventura was able to close out the set 25-19 to take the 2-1 set lead.

Santa Monica controlled the fourth set, holding margins of 16-12 and 20-14 before sending the match to a deciding fifth set 25-19.

VC doubled up Santa Monica 10-5 and 12-6 before Murdoch had another big kill to end the match with a 15-9 set win for the Pirates.

Johnson's double-double was key for the victory, as were Murdoch's 21 kills and 14 digs along with Schaumloeffel's 12 kills and 16 digs. Talia Behrens had nine kills while hitting .444 in the middle for the Pirates to go along with a pair of solo blocks. Brianna Morrison had four blocks, one solo, and Gracie Piro recorded a pair of service aces. Alba Romanos Gracia hit .500 in the Pirate attack. 

Ventura (8-1) next travels to Bakersfield on Wednesday Sept. 20 before hosting Canyons on Friday Sept. 22.