Women's Volleyball Drops Heartbreaker in Four

At the end of the night, the Pirates' volleyball team was outscored by just seven points, 98-92, but that was enough to fall in four sets Friday to Moorpark, 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21. Brianna Morrison hit a solid .462 at the net with seven kills and Ashley Johnson handed out 48 assists and recorded four blocks defensively. Autumn Rojelio had 25 digs and Kayla Murdoch hit a team-high 16 winners as VC (14-3, 4-2) dropped out of a first place tie atop the conference.

It was a back-and-forth affair early with neither team gaining an upper hand in the first set. Finally, the Pirates went on a mini run and opened up an 18-16 margin on a kill and service ace by Murdoch, prompting a Raider timeout. Johnson and Talia Behrens combined for a block for a 21-18 advantage. After an exchange of winners, the Raiders closed to within 22-21 before Murdoch's kill put VC on the doorstep of taking the first set.  Unfortunately for Ventura, however, Moorpark won the next three points to take th early lead 25-23.

Moorpark looked to be taking control in the second set as they lead by as many as seven points. The Pirates trailed 15-8 at one point before outscoring the Raiders 12-5 to tie the game at 20. Makena Schaumloeffel won a duel at the net to start the run while Behrens had a kill down the line followed by a Murdoch winner. Morrison scored on a quick set in the middle to close to within 18-16 and Ibbotson's kill pulled VC to within one. Murdoch had a back-row kill to finally tie the score at 20-20, and an Ibbotson ace followed by a n MC hitting error put Ventura ahead 23-22. Unfortunately, the second set ended like the first with the Raiders winning the final three points to take a commanding lead.

The third set was once again a close fight between the two rivals. Morrison scored in the middle for VC as they took a 17-14 lead before the Raiders countered with four straight points to go in front. Murdoch and Ibbotson then scored the first of four straight for the Pirates as they took a 21-18 edge before the Raiders countered with another run. VC trailed 22-21 when Ibbotson hit another winner and Behrens won a battle at the net for the Ventura lead, 23-22. The Pirates went on to stay alive in the match with a 25-23 set win.

Ventura took a slim lead early in the fourth set and was able to maintain the edge until the Raiders tied the score at 14. Moorpark scored five straight winners to take a 20-15 lead and the Pirates could not find a way to come back. They closed to within 22-20 at one point but the Raiders closed out the match 25-21.

Ibbotson recorded 12 kills for the Pirates while Behrens had eight winners and hit .375 in limited action due to injury. Schaumloeffel also was not at 100 percent but still managed five kills. Johnson, Ibbotson and Murdoch each completed double-doubles with 13, 12 and 10 digs, respectively, on defense. Johnson also had three service aces for the Pirates.

Ventura next travels to Los Angeles Pierce College on Wednesday Oct. 25.