No. 25 SBCC Topples Undefeated No. 2 Ventura in Four Sets

SANTA BARBARA, CA – The No. 25 SBCC women's volleyball team has been on fire of late and kept it going on Friday with its best win of the season, taking down previously undefeated No. 2 Ventura at home in four sets, 25-23, 19-25, 25-20, 25-21.

The Vaqueros improve to 8-7 with their fourth straight win, while the Pirates move to 13-1.

"Our setters led the way with their leadership and set the pace for our balanced offense. Mikyala also flashed her offensive prowess leading the team in kills with eight," head coach Kat Niksto said. "Outside hitter Ava Guenther and opposite Caroline McCarty were both forces to be reckoned with both offensively and defensively."

Butzke had a team-high 17 assists for her third-highest total of the season. Crabbe finished with 12 assists. Guenther went for seven kills and two aces while McCarty had seven kills, six blocks and a pair of aces.

"Middles Karoline Ruiz and Heidi Collins both did a phenomenal job working hard along the net blocking pin-to-pin to slow down Ventura's biggest hitters," said Niksto. "Jacelin McKie led the defensive team with 24 digs while passing a majority of the served balls for the night. Our team defense was a huge factor in the win, getting contributions from defensive specialists Gabby Russell, Jordyn Anderson and Celia Espinoza. We also had a great night from the service line, serving up eight aces over the course of the night, keeping Ventura largely out of system."

SBCC's big win caps a great final stretch in September, which saw the Vaqueros win 12 of their last 13 sets. They will be back In action next Wednesday, Oct. 5 to play at LA Mission at 6:00 p.m.