The Ventura College women's water polo team opened their 2019 season at the Saddleback Tournament, playing against some of the best teams in the state. Despite the 1-3 weekend record, VC battled, including a 10-7 victory Saturday over Orange Coast and an 11-10 overtime loss to defending state champion Sierra in the opener on Friday. Cali Iadevaia netted 12 goals in the four games while Raylynn Lipsky had 16 steals defensively. Shayle Barrus recorded 40 saves in goal over the four games.
Ventura 10, Sierra 11 (OT)
Iadevaia netted six goals, including one in the fourth quarter that gave VC a 9-7 advantage over the Wolverines. She also had three drawn exclusions and three steals in the game. Abby Coker scored twice, including an equalizer in the final minute of the first overtime period. Drew Reyes scored a goal with two assists, a drawn exclusion and a pair of thefts and Yaneli Calderon also recorded a goal. Barrus had 11 saves and a pair of steals in goal.
Ventura 3, Golden West 10
In VC's second match of the day, the Pirates fell to Golden West. Iadevaia, Lauren Mora and Leanna Ramirez all scored goals. Reyes and Lipsky each had four steals defensively. Barrus turned back nine Rustler shots in two quarters of play and Phoebe Murtishaw recorded 10 saves in the cage.
Ventura 10, Orange Coast 7
Iadevaia scored five more goals against the Pirates of the South, drawing a pair of exclusions and grabbing a steal. Reyes also scored twice with a steal and Mora found the net two times, as well. Lipsky scored once with two assists and she anchored the defense with six thefts. Barrus recorded 12 saves in the cage along with three steals.
Ventura 3, Fullerton 16
The Pirates fell behind 3-1 at the end of the first quarter and 7-2 at halftime against the Hornets. Reyes, Lipsky and Shaeleigh Russell all scored for Ventura in the loss. Lipsky had five steals defensively and Barrus turned back eight shots in three quarters of work.
Ventura hosts the Philippine National Team on Friday Sept. 13 at 10:00 am at the Ventura Aquatic Center before heading to San Luis Obispo for a pair of games in the Cuesta Tournament on Saturday Sept. 14.