SBCC Haunted by Ventura; Loses in Four Sets

By: Noah Gibbs

GOLETA, Calif. – No. 6 Santa Barbara City College suffered just its third loss of the season, falling to No. 24 Ventura in four sets (25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 25-13) on a Halloween Friday afternoon at Robertson Gymnasium. 

Ventura came out of the gate winning the first set 25-19, which was matched by SBCC winning the second set 25-21. From there, Ventura took care of business, winning the next two sets to take the win against a Vaquero team that came in with an 18-2 overall record. 

The Vaqueros' hitting percentage was just .126 in the loss, well below their season average of .225 - ninth best in the 3C2A.

Valeria Bellodas paced the Vaqs with 15 digs, while Morgan Guardado contributed 24 assists, 11 digs and 5 kills. Kaylin Cooney led Santa Barbara with 9 kills. 

The Vaqueros have now lost two straight to end an electrifying October in which they went 7-2 in their nine games. They are now 8-2 in conference play, and trail Moorpark by a single game in the WSC North standings.

SBCC looks to return to its winning ways on Friday, Nov. 7, against LA Pierce at Robertson Gym at 6 p.m.