Hackett Sparks Ventura Rally in Volleyball Win
Ventura College, behind the blocking and hitting of Venessa Hackett, took it to the limit Saturday night in the state junior college volleyball tournament.
The Pirates (23-1) came from behind in the fifth game to beat Kings River, 7-15, 15-2, 15-7, 8-15, 15-8, in a loser’s-bracket match at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo.
Hackett, Ventura’s sophomore middle-blocking standout, helped the Pirates break open the final game. Ventura moved from a 3-2 deficit to an 8-5 lead and didn’t look back.
The loss eliminated Kings River (15-7) from the eight-team, double-elimination tournament, but Ventura will meet Allan Hancock today at noon. The championship contest is set for 6 p.m.
Ventura lost its first match of the season earlier in the day as Cerritos (23-3) defeated the Pirates, 15-10, 9-15, 9-15, 15-12, 17-15, in a winner’s-bracket semifinal match.
Cerritos, seeded fourth among the four Southern California representatives, came from behind in the final two games to upset second-seeded Ventura.
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