The VC beach volleyball team swept a pair of matches Friday in Palm Desert to open its 2023 season. The Pirates swept Fullerton 5-0 in the opener before defeating host College of the Desert 5-0 in the second match of the day. The duo of Kayla Murdoch and Autumn Rojelio Moreno, won their two contests to lead the way for the Pirates.
In the day's first match, VC easily defeated shorthanded Fullerton as the Hornets did not field a team in the Nos. 4 and 5 matches. Murdoch and Rojelio Moreno swept their No. 1 match 21-8, 21-17 and Olivia Sletten and Alba Romanos Gracia triumphed in the No. 3 slot, 21-3, 21-8. Katey Mulville and Averi Carter took an early 21-8 lead before dropping the second set 22-20. The VC pair finally won in the third set, 15-5 to complete the Ventura sweep.
Ventura prevailed with a 5-0 sweep in the second match of the day against the host Roadrunners. Murdoch and Rojelio Moreno captured their second straight set win of the day, 21-11, 21-10 and Slettem and Carter won in the No. 2 match, 21-12, 21-13. Mulville teamed up with Grace Williams to claim the No. 3 slot, 21-11, 21-19 and Ana Medrano and Romanos Gracia won at No. 4, 21-14, 21-10. Bryce Swain and Kylie Ibbotson won their No. 5 contest 21-10, 21-7.
Ventura holds its home opener on Friday Feb. 10,hosting Cal Lutheran and Palomar at the Ventura Harbor Courts. Play is set to begin at 10:00 am.
Ventura 5, Fullerton 0
1. Kayla Murdoch/Autumn Rojelio Moreno (VC) def. FC No. 1, 21-8, 21-17
2. Katey Mulville/Averi Carter (VC) def. FC No. 2, 21-8, 20-22, 15-5
3. Olivia Sletten/Alba Romanos Gracia (VC) def. FC No. 3, 21-3, 21-8
4. Grace Williams/Ana Medrano (VC) def. FC No. 4, 21-0, 21-0 (forfeit)
5. Bryce Swain/Kylie Ibbotson (VC) def. FC No. 5, 21-0, 21-0 (forfeit)
Ventura 5, Desert 0
1. Kayla Murdoch/Autumn Rojelio Moreno (VC) def. CoD No. 1, 21-11, 21-10
2. Olivia Sletten/Averi Carter (VC) def. CoD No. 2, 21-12, 21-13
3. Katey Mulville/Grace Williams (VC) def.CoD No. 3, 21-11, 21-19
4. Ana Medrano/Alba Romanos Gracia (VC) def.CoD No. 4, 21-14, 21-10
5. Bryce Swain/Kylie Ibbotson (VC) def. CoD No. 5, 21-10, 21-7