Ventura splits a pair of beach volleyball matches in SoCal swing

HUNTINGTON BEACH - The Ventura College beach volleyball team split a pair of matches Friday in Huntington Beach. The Pirates (6-2) lost a narrow decision to NCAA Division II Cal State Los Angeles before sweeping Golden West College 5-0. The Pirates' No. 3 team of Amaris Garcia and Katey Mulville had a pair of wins on the day, as did the No. 5 pair of Grace Williams and Madelyn Grajeda.

In the first match of the day, Ventura dropped a close decision to the Eagles. After CSULA opened up a 2-0 lead with wins at No. 1 and No. 4, Garcia and Mulville came from behind with a 18-21, 22-20, 15-8 victory. Cal State clinched the match with a hard fought 20-22, 22-20, 15-11 win over Savannah Marchese and Averi Carter at the No. 2 slot before Williams and Grejada won in the No. 5 match, 21-9, 21-12.

Against the hosts, Ventura remained undefeated against community college competition with the sweep. Alexis Baloyo and Amelie Zubia won their No. 1 match 21-13, 22-20 and Monica Montoya and Lexi Donnelly swept the No. 4 slot, 21-17, 21-18. Garcia and Mulville came from behind once again in their 22-234, 21-12, 19-17 win at No. 3 while Marchese and Carter swept their opponents at No. 2, 21-14, 21-15. Williams and Grajeda completed the sweep with an easy 21-4, 21-7 win at No. 5.

VC's next two dates will feature "road" contests beginning Friday March 18 as Western State Conference play opens. The Pirates will battle Glendale and Santa Monica at the Ventura Harbor Courts in contests hosted by Moorpark. Action is slated to begin for Ventura at 11:00 am.

Ventura 2, Cal State Los Angeles 3

1. Alexis Baloyo/Amelie Zubia (VC) lost to Cal State LA No. 1, 21-16, 21-13
2. Savannah Marchese/Averi Carter (VC) lost to Cal State LA No. 2, 20-22, 22-20, 15-11
3. Amaris Garcia/Katey Mulville (VC) def. Cal State LA No. 3, 18-21, 22-20, 15-11
4. Monica Montoya/Lexi Donnelly (VC) lost to Cal State LA No. 4, 21-16, 21-23, 15-8
5. Grace Williams/Madelyn Grajeda (VC) def. Cal State LA No. 5, 21-9, 21-12
    Exhibition
6. Jocelyn Montoya/Ana Medrano lost to Cal State LA No. 6, 21-17, 21-19

Order of Finish: 1, 4, 3, 2, 5

Ventura 5, Santa Ana 0

1. Alexis Baloyo/Amelie Zubia (VC) def. Golden West No. 1, 21-13, 22-20
2. Savannah Marchese/Averi Carter (VC) def. Golden West No. 2, 21-14, 21-15
3. Amaris Garcia/Katey Mulville (VC) def. Golden West No. 3, 22-24, 21-12, 19-17
4. Monica Montoya/Lexi Donnelly (VC) def. Golden West No. 4, 21-17, 21-18
5. Grace Williams/Madelyn Grajeda (VC) def. Golden West No. 5, 21-4, 21-7