There was a carefully planned impromptu dance party outside of Raider Pavilion at Moorpark College Wednesday in celebration of the Pirate volleyball team's first Western State Conference championship since 2005. Earlier in the evening, VC defeated Moorpark in four sets going away, 21-25 25-23 25-15 25-16, to finish the year with a 7-1 conference mark, besting the Raiders and the rest of the field on their way to the top. Faith Mackie had 27 digs and Morgan Gallagher recorded 13 kills to lead the way for VC (17-4, 7-1).
The 13-year wait was delayed for a week for Ventura. After an upset loss to Cuesta in their home finale last Wednesday, in which the team could have clinched at least a share of the title, the Woolsey fire in east Ventura County forced the postponement of the VC-Moorpark showdown for conference supremacy for five more days. It was worth the wait.
The Raiders, who came into the contest tied with he Pirates atop the WSC North Division standings, took the upper hand early, claiming the first set 25-21.
Ventura then came back in a close one, taking the second 25-23 to even the match.
It was all Ventura from that point, as the Pirates took the third set 25-15, and triumphed in the fourth, 25-16.
Gallagher led the offensive attack with 13 kills while Kelly Rodriguez was strong all around with 11 kills, 10 digs and a pair of services aces. Mackie had another stellar performance anchoring the defense with 27 digs and Gabby Boado handed out 18 assists, recorded 12 digs and hit two aces. Raphaella Rosales had 15 assists with a couple of service aces and Kambria Dowling had 10 digs while recording a team-high 2.20 passer rating with 15 attempts in the match. Janessa Simental also had seven winners with six digs.
Ventura receives the automatic bid into the CCCAA Southern California Regional Playoffs and will be making the program's fourth post-season appearance in the past five seasons. The playoff opener is scheduled for Tuesday Nov. 20 against an opponent and at a location yet to be determined.