The VC women's water polo team scored on their first possession of the game and added three more goals in the first quarter en route to their 16-0 shutout victory over Santa Monica Wednesday in the quarterfinal round of the Western State Conference Tournament. Kelsee Espitia led a balanced attack with four goals and Kendall Ribbers added three under the lights at Rio Mesa high School Ahna Davis and Paige LeBaron combined for eight saves in the cage to keep the Corsairs scoreless.
Espitia put No. 3-seeded VC (19-9, 4-2) ahead on a goal just 27 seconds into the game. Kendal Santos followed with a score at the 5:46 mark of the first quarter before Emily Baughn and Jessica Garcia each scored for a 4-0 Pirate lead after eight minutes of play.
Espitia and Bella Palacios scored in the second period as Ventura led 6-0 at intermission.
The Pirates broke out for seven goals in the third stanza before finalizing the 16-0 margin.
Ventura had 10 different players score a goal while LeBaron handed out three assists from her goalie position and Milla Malesich dropped a pair of dimes. Davis and Malesich each had four steals defensively for the Pirates and Santos pulled in three thefts.
VC advances to the WSC Tournament semifinals on Friday Nov. 3. They will take on No. 2 Citrus at Los Angeles Valley at 1:45 pm. The Pirates and Owls first played on Oct. 18 in Glendora with Ventura dropping an 8-6 decision. The winner of Friday's game will advance to the WSC Championship game on Saturday Nov. 4.