After five long sets and 214 combined points, just four points separated the Ventura College and Pasadena City College volleyball teams Wednesday night at the Athletic Event Center. Unfortunately for the Pirates, they came up on the short end for the second straight match, falling to undefeated PCC 25-21, 20-25, 26-24, 23-25, 10-15. Raphaella Rosales had another all-around performance with nine kills, two blocks, 22 digs and 12 service winners to help lead Ventura (1-3).
In a fast-paced first set, Ventura kept it close all the way, but fell behind 25-21. VC jumped all over the Lancers in the second, however, taking an early 8-1 advantage before Pasadena worked back to a 16-16 tie. The Pirates scored nine of the final 13 points to claim the second set 25-20.
The third set was looking up for the Pirates as they held a late 23-18 lead. Five straight winners by PCC changed the outlook, however, and Ventura dropped the set 26-24.
Pasadena held the upper hand in the fourth set, as VC trailed 21-17. Five consecutive Pirate winners turned the set around, and Ventura forced the decisive set with a 25-23 win.
In the final frame, the Pirates kept it close, but they could not muster the points as Pasadena went home with the 15-10 win, taking the match 3-2.
Morgan Gallagher led the offense with 14 kills and Brooklyn Wallet had 13 winners while hitting at a .400 rate. Leslie Perez led the defense with 27 digs and Wallet had four blocks at the net. Kassidy Wilson and Gabby Boado recorded 28 and 20 assists, respectively, and Boado also contributed 12 digs. Shantalle Ruiz had seven kills and a pair of blocks.
Ventura remains at home on Friday Sept. 6 for the VC Pirate Classic Quad. The Pirates will host Imperial Valley at 3:00 pm before taking on Victor Valley at 6:00 pm.