The VC women's water polo team split a pair of Western State Conference games Saturday at the Ventura Aquatic Center, falling to Cuesta 10-6 in the first game before routing Los Angeles Pierce 18-4 in the nightcap. Drew Reyes and Raylynn Lipsky each scored four goals on the day while Shayle Barrus scored three goals and had four saves in goal in splitting time in the cage and in the field for the Pirates (9-9, 3-2).
Ventura 6, Cuesta 10
The Pirates were tied with the Cougars 2-2 early in the second quarter before yielding four straight goals to fall behind at halftime. They came back to within 8-6 with a score with 3:08 remaining in the game but could get no closer in the loss.
Reyes netted three goals with a pair of drawn exclusions and three steals to lead VC and Lipsky had a goal with three steals. Shaeleigh Russell and Elizabeth Arlington each had one goal while Barrus had four saves in goal along with one steal and one assist. Haley Hall recorded three saves in the cage in the second half.
Ventura 18, LA Pierce 4
The Pirates rebounded in the nightcap to blow past the Brahmas. Following a slow start during which the Pirates trailed 2-1 at the end of the first quarter, Ventura scored six times in the second period to take a 7-3 advantage into halftime.
Lipsky, Barrus and Cali Iadevaia each netted a hat trick with Barrus contributing an assist with four steals, Iadevaia recording a pair of helpers, and Lipsky handing out two assists with two thefts. Abby Cocker had a pair of scores with two assists and Reyes had a goal, two helpers and one drawn exclusion. Russell had a goal and a steal while Shayne Naylor score once with an assist and a steal.
VC's sophomores, who were honored before the game, also had a solid performance. Talullah Lund Sidi found the net once with three assists and two steals and Sophia Anorga recorded an assist and a steal. Hall had five saves in the cage in the victory for the Pirates.
Ventura closes out its home schedule and regular season conference play with a game against Citrus on Wednesday Oct. 17. Play is set to begin at 2:00 pm at the Ventura Aquatic Center.