The Ventura College women's water polo team is returning to the post-season! The Pirates (18-6) were seeded No. 5 in the 12-team Southern California Regional Playoffs that begin Thursday at Southwestern College in Chula Vista. VC will take on No. 12 Mt. San Antonio (12-17) in the regional quarterfinals at 1:45 pm on day one of the tournament.
The Pirates are enjoying an excellent season under fourth-year head coach Linda Wright. They are looking to reach the 20-win plateau for the fourth time in program history and the first time since 2016.
VC was ranked No. 7 in the final state poll and finished second in the Western State Conference Tournament to state No. 2 and SoCal No. 1 Santa Barbara. VC lost twice to the Vaqueros and twice to No. 2 Fullerton. Their only other loss to community college competition was against No. 6 Cerritos, a double-overtime setback that was avenged with a victory over the Falcons later in the season.
Mt. San Antonio finished third in the South Coast Conference Tournament behind No. 4 Long Beach and Cerritos.
Ventura defeated Mt. SAC 12-7 on Oct. 9 at the Ventura Tournament.
The winner of Thursday's first round game will take on Long Beach at 4:15 on Friday.