The top-ranked Pirate volleyball team continued its early season roll, sweeping past College of the Desert 16, 12, 14 Wednesday at the Athletic Event Center. VC, ranked No. 1 in Southern California and No. 2 in the state, easily defeated the Roadrunners behind 13 kills from Kayla Murdoch, seven winners from Nevada Knowles, and five kills each from Katey Mulville and Kylie Ibbotson. Ventura (9-0) had 40 kills in the match and hit a solid .329 offensively.
After a 6-6 tie in the opening set, the Pirates received a kill from Alexandria Donnelly, two aces from Murdoch and a big swing from Knowles to go ahead 10-6. Ibbotson's winner stretched the lead to 19-13 and Knowles hit an ace to claim the first set, 25-16.
Ventura opened an 8-2 margin early in the second set, partially on the strength of three straight winners at serve by Amelie Zubia, including a pair of aces. Two kills from Murdoch and a winner from Ibbotson increased the lead to 14-6 Knowles hit the winner at set-point for the 25-12 VC win.
VB��: Knowles with the winner on #SetPoint and @VCVolleyball captures 2nd set 25-12. VC leads match over @COD_Athletics 2-0. @ventura_college @vcscolleges @TheAcornSports @cccwvca pic.twitter.com/drQEDCclai
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) September 15, 2022
The Pirates trailed 6-3 in the third set before scoring seven of the next eight points to reestablish control, 10-7. Knowles and Murdoch each hit winners to make the score 19-11 as VC went on to clinch the match on Alba Romanos Gracia block at match-point, 25-14.
VB��: At #MatchPoint, Alba Romanos Garcia with the block and @VCVolleyball claims@the 3rd set over @COD_Athletics 25-14 to sweep the match 3-0. @ventura_college @TheAcornSports @vcscolleges @cccwvca pic.twitter.com/5ojrXzFGXI
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) September 15, 2022
Murdoch added five service aces to her kill total while Knowles and Zubia added four and three aces, respectively. Knowles handed out 20 assists and Zubia added 15 and Autumn Rojelio Moreno had 14 digs.
Ventura next travels to College of the Canyons on Friday Sept. 16 for a6:00 pm date with the Cougars.