The Pirate beach volleyball team shuffled its line-up due to injury Friday, but still came out with a pair of wins in chilly but dry conditions in Bakersfield. VC's No. 4 pairing of Lily Hazzard and Makena Schaumloeffel clinched the 3-2 win against Bakersfield and Autumn Rojelio and Bryce Swain won a pair of matches at No. 2 for the Pirates (13-5, 7-1).
It was an exciting first match as the Pirates faced Bakersfield for the first time this season with the decision coming down to the final pairings. Alba Romanos Gracia and Kylie Ibbotson played up to the No. 1 slot, falling 21-14, 21-18 to open the day. Liz Schalde and Skylar Rutherford responded for Ventura with a 21-18, 21-16 win at no. 5 to even the match. Gracie Piro and Gabby Raines fell at No. 3 in three sets, 17-21, 21-19, 15-10 to put the Renegades on the verge of a win before Rojelio and Swain captured the No. 2 contest, 21-9, 21-12. Playing before both cheering teams, Hazzard and Schaumloeffel capped the VC comeback with a 21-14, 13-21, 15-8 thriller at No. 4 to bring the Pirates the victory.
In the nightcap, Ventura had little trouble with Cuesta posting five sweeps. Romanos Gracia and Ibbotson won their top match 21-17, 21-18 and Schalde and Rutherford captured No. 5, 24-22, 21-17. Rojelio and Swain won at No. 2, 21-11, 21-11 before Piro and Raines posted a 21-11, 21-12 triumph in the No. 3 slot. Hazzard and Schaumloeffel finished the sweep with a 21-12, 21-8 win at No. 4.
Ventura travels to East Beach in Santa Barbara on Friday April 12 to take on Santa Barbara and Glendale in their next outing.
Ventura 3, Bakersfield 2
1. Alba Romanos Gracia/Kylie Ibbotson (VC) lost to BC 1s, 21-14, 21-18
2. Autumn Rojelio/Bryce Swain (VC) def. BC 2s, 21-9, 21-12
3. Gracie Piro/Gabby Raines (VC) lost to BC 3s, 17-21, 21-19, 15-10
4. Lily Hazzard/Makena Schaumloeffel (VC) def. BC 4s, 21-14, 13-21, 15-8
5. Liz Schalde/Skylar Rutherford (VC) def. BC 5s, 21-18, 21-16
Order of Finish: 1, 5, 3, 2, 4
Ventura 5, Cuesta 0
1. Alba Romanos Gracia/Kylie Ibbotson (VC) def. Cue. 1s, 21-17, 21-18
2. Autumn Rojelio/Bryce Swain (VC) def. Cue, 2s, 21-11, 21-11
3. Gracie Piro/Gabby Raines/ (VC) def. Cue. 3s, 21-11, 21-12
4. Lily Hazzard/Makena Schaumloeffel (VC) def. Cue. 4s, 21-12, 21-8
5. Liz Schalde/Skylar Rutherford (VC) def. Cue. 5s, 24-22, 21-17
Order of Finish: 1, 5, 2, 3, 4