For the 13th time in the past 17 years, the Pirates' women's water polo team played for the Western State Conference title. Saturday was not to be their day, however, as No. 3-seed Ventura fell to top-seeded Santa Barbara 16-7 in Santa Monica. Cali Iadevaia had four goals and Shaeleigh Russell scored twice for VC (14-12, 6-3). Raylynn Lipsky handed out two assists and grabbed a pair of steals on the day.
The Pirates fell behind early in the contest. Trailing 3-0, Iadevaia got the Pirates on the board with a score with 3:52 remaining in the first period. SBCC scored the next two goals before another Iadevaia goal closed the gap to 5-2 early in the second period. Russell scored late in the half and VC trailed 9-3 at halftime.
Third quarter goals by Iadevaia and Talullah Lund Sidi could not turn back the tide, however, as Ventura trailed 13-5 at the end of the third stanza, falling 16-7.
Ventura is looking for an extension of the season in next weekend's SoCal Regional Playoffs in Cerritos.