Ventura, Pierce Open Play in Volleyball Regionals

Ventura and Pierce colleges open play in the Southern California regional of the state women’s volleyball tournament with home matches at 7 tonight.

Ventura (17-2), seeded fifth, will play 12th-seeded Riverside (13-3, 9-3 and tied for second in the Orange Empire Conference). Seventh-seeded Pierce (17-2) meets No. 10 Chaffey (14-5, 14-2 and Foothill Conference champion). The top-seeded team is 19-3 Golden West.

The All-Western State Conference team was chosen by the coaches, and Melissa Yeto, Ventura’s sophomore setter, was named player of the year. Sharon McAlexander of Ventura was chosen coach of the year. Yeto and teammates Vanessa Hackett and Marcy Cochran were named to the first team, as were Pierce’s Amy Sodek and Lori Mertes.

Yeto (first team), Hackett (second team) and Sodek (second team) were named to the All-Southern California team selected by coaches.