The VC women's water polo team boarded a jet plane to the Bay Area Friday, defeating Las Positas and Modesto on the opening day of their 2024 season at the West Valley Tournament in Saratoga. The Pirates ran away from the Hawks 15-2 before defeating the Pirates of the Central valley, 11-5. Ella Montano scored six goals with three assists and an incredible 11 steals in the two games while Kelsee Espitia scored six goals with four dimes and five thefts for VC (2-0).
Ventura 15, Las Positas 2
The Pirates were never threatened in the season opener as AnnMarie Patterson scored twice while Caitlyn Hilgenberg, Espitia and Montano each found the inside of the cage for a 5-0 VC lead in the first quarter. Espitia's second score made it 6-1 at the end of the period.
Six different players scored for Ventura in the second stanza and Ava Carey was perfect in goal as VC took a 12-1 advantage into halftime.
Espitia finished the game with four goals, four steals and an assist while Patterson, Hilgenberg and Montano all scored twice. JoJo Thayne scored once with an assist and three drawn exclusions. Carey recorded nine saves in goal and added a pair of dimes and a steal.
Ventura 11, Modesto 5
In the nightcap, Ventura had to earn every goal against a stingy Modesto defense in establishing great early-season connections. Using superior speed, VC met a 1-0 early deficit with four straight scores, one each by Patterson, Montano, Stevie Sturges and Taylor Baldwin.
Espitia scored twice in the second period to help build a 6-3 edge at intermission.
Patterson and Montano alternated scores after the break, with Montano adding a third goal in the stanza as VC pulled away from Modesto, holding an 11-4 advantage at the end of the third quarter.
Montano had a stellar game with 10 steals defensively and four goals on the offensive end. She also added two assists to her effort. Patterson scored three times while Espitia had a pair of goals with three assists and a theft. Carey was solid once again in the cage with seven saves and a pair of steals.
Ventura will conclude the weekend up north playing host West Valley and Fresno on Saturday Sept. 14.