Ventura College women's water polo team matched up with Cuesta College for third place in the Western State Conference tournament and picked up a hard fought 11-9 victory. Paige Treloar-Ballard starred for the Pirates on offense with four goals and three assists. Lauren Wiksell added two goals and an assist. Miranda Campos had five saves in the victory.
A day after splitting a pair of games in the WSC tournament, Ventura returned to the pool at Los Angeles Valley College for a shot at third place and a potential State playoff berth. After finishing the first quarter in a 2-2 tie, Treloar-Ballard netted her first goal of the game with Kalyn Pina scoring another to give the Pirates a 4-2 advantage at the half. Treloar-Ballard scored two more goals in the first half while Maeve Flynn and Kalyn Pina each scored one goal for the Pirates who held a 8-7 advantage entering the final quarter of play. Ventura picked up three more goals in the final quarter to hold for an 11-9 victory and clinching third place.
VC drew seven ejections against the Cougars with Treloar-Ballard picking up four of those ejections against Cuesta. Ventura's defense picked up 14 team steals with four different Pirates having multiple steals in the game led by Wiksell and Treloar-Ballard both having three steals.
With the win the Pirates finish the year with a 17-12 record and a 5-5 conference record. The will now await their fate in being selected to the So Cal Regional Playoffs set to begin on Thursday Nov. 12.