The VC women's water polo team had an easy time at Los Angeles Valley Wednesday, defeating the Monarchs 22-6. AnnMarie Patterson exploded for eight goals and Kelsee Espitia netted six scores with four assists and a pair of steals. Ella Montano found the inside of the cage three times with a pair of helpers and a team-best three steals defensively. Ava Carey turned in 18 saves in goal for Ventura (13-7, 3-0).
Patterson, Montano and Espitia all scored early leading to a 3-0 VC advantage. Espitia and Montano then answered an LAVC goal with two more scores, and Patterson sandwiched a pair of scores around another goal by Espitia for an 8-3 Pirate advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Milla Malesich, Patterson and Caitlyn Hilgenberg all found the inside of tjhe cage in the second period for an 11-5 lead at intermission.
VC pulled away in the third quarter with a 7-0 run before outscoring LA Valley 4-1 in the final stanza.
The Pirates will next host Santa Barbara in a game for the top spot in the Western State Conference on Wednesday Oct.23. The first sprint is set for 2:00 pm at the Ventura Aquatic Center.