The young Pirates' women's water polo team continued their growth Saturday despite a pair of losses against top-ranked competition at the Riverside Tournament. VC dropped the opener against state No. 1 Riverside 14-6 before closing the weekend with a 12-6 loss to San Joaquin Delta. Kayla Wallace led the team with three goals, three assists and seven steals in the two games and Kelsey Golden also scored three times for Ventura (2-6).
Ventura 6, Riverside 14
VC got off to a slow start against the defending state champions and tournament hosts. The Pirates trailed 8-1 at the end of the first half and could not mount a comeback. Wallace had two goals, one assist, one steal and a drawn exclusion. Katie Heath found the back of the net once with an assist, one steal and two exclusions and Golden had a score and an assist. Sabrina Cherfane turned in a goal and two steals while Sara McGuire had two helpers and three steals. Haley Hall turned back seven Tiger shots in the cage.
Ventura 6, San Joaquin Delta 12
The Pirates closed the tournament against San Joaquin Delta, the state's third place finisher a year ago. Despite another strong effort, the Pirates did not have the horses to keep up wit the Mustangs. Golden led Ventura with a pair of gaols and Wallace scored once with three assists and six steals. Heath had a goal and three thefts and Cherfane also scored a goal. Samantha Ontiveros netted the Pirates other score on the day.
Ventura will regroup before traveling to Santa Barbara on Wednesday Sept. 20 for their Western State Conference opener. The Match is scheduled for 5:20 pm at San Marcos High School. Ventura will open its home schedule on Saturday Sept. 23, hosting the VC Alumnae at 11:00 am at the Ventura Aquatic Center.