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O'Brien, Araiza lead VC past Moorpark
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More from CollegeOutside hitter Keisha O'Brien had 23 kills, setter Sara Araiza had 43 assists and the duo combined for 33 digs as the Ventura College women's volleyball team defeated cross-county rival Moorpark College in three games Tuesday night at the VC Athletic Events Center.
Libero Rachel SantaOlla had 19 digs and middle blocker Rachel Moore added four blocks as the Pirates (12-4) improved to 3-0 in the Western State Conference's North Division with a 30-28, 30-26, 30-21 win.
"We jumped out in the beginning and we just sort of controlled the whole match," said Ventura coach Mandy Rodriguez. "My girls did really well. They kept their cool."
Ventura has won six of the last seven meetings with Moorpark. The two programs have combined to win seven of the last eight WSC North titles, sharing the title in 2001 and 2003.
"I just thought they played a little bit harder than we did," said Moorpark coach Steve Burkhart. "It was a little bit disappointing for us. We think we can play better than we did tonight."
Moorpark's preparation was interrupted by the wildfires that closed its campus this week.
The Raiders (7-9, ) were forced to practice at Oxnard College on Monday.
It was just another blow in a wild season that has seen a starting middle blocker tear knee ligaments on the first day of practice, another star experience an accelerated heartbeat right before a game, and a lighting problem keep the Raiders out of their gym for three weeks this fall.
"If anything more could go wrong with this year, it would be incredible," said Burkhart. "It's one thing after another."
Ventura will travel north Friday to face Cuesta (14-3, 3-0), which broke up the county's WSC duopoly last season.
"I don't underestimate anyone in our conference," said Rodriguez. "We're expecting our biggest match of the season, but we've felt that way about everyone in conference."
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