The unpredictability of fifth sets can benefit some teams while become a hazard for others. For the Pasadena City College women's volleyball team and head coach Mike Terrill, they are accustomed to the challenge. PCC moved to 11-6 in career 5-set affairs under Terrill, rallying in key moments to defeat host Ventura, 25-19, 19-25, 26-24, 23-25, 15-10 Wednesday night.

The Lancers remain perfect at 5-0 and won for the second time this season in the extra set to 15. They will likely be picked on the initial 2019 State Top 25 rankings that will come out next week. The program is off to its best start under Terrill and the most successful in seven years.

After winning the first game, Ventura fought back to take set 2 and held a commanding 23-18 lead in the third. PCC countered with an 8-1 run to win that set. After the Pirates (1-3) won the fourth game, they took a 5-2 lead in the fifth. The Lancers then dominated the rest of the way, winning 13 of the final 18 points to cap the team's fifth straight win on the road. 

"In the fifth, we had a nice service run by Nikki Hernandez along with stellar defense from Grace Crawford. Maggie Harris cleaned up at the net on the overpass while slowing down Ventura's hitters. Finally, we got some great swings by Erykah Wilson. Our women showed a ton of resilience in being able to play with different lineups and coming back from some large deficits."

Saku Yoshioka served five of PCC's team season-high 16 aces while Crawford tallied 24 digs and landed three aces. Wilson led the team with 11 kills and Nalani Young scored a double-double on 10 kills and 15 digs. Harris added eight kills and three blocks and Janell Currier eight kills and three aces. Madison Blohm had a nice overall match on three kills, 17 set assists, eight digs and two aces.

The Lancers will be tested again this Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Santa Barbara City College Quad when they play the host Vaqueros at 11 a.m. and perennial Western State Conference power Bakersfield at 3 p.m.