2023 Ventura College Women's Water Polo Team News
The Ventura College Athletic Department claimed its 14th Top-13 finish in 19 years, placing 13th in California in the 2023-24 all-sports National Association of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) Cup standings. Pirate Athletics totaled 106 points overall, besting its 105.5 points earned in 2022-23 that placed 12th. Ventura was also 17th for the second straight year in the Daktronics Cup Standings with two-years schools from California, Oregon and Washington.
The Ventura College Athletic Department is proud to announce the transfer of 71 student athletes to four-year schools following their time with the Pirates. 48 of those transfers plan to continue their sport with 34 earning athletic scholarships. The VC class of 2024 will transfer to 48 different schools in 19 different states across the country. Additionally, 17 of the Pirate alumni have earned academic scholarships at their new schools.
Women's water polo sophomore Ahna Davis and freshman Ella Montano were named first team 3C2A All-Americans at the conclusion of the 2023 season while freshman Kelsee Espitia earned a second team All-American nod. Freshman AnnMarie Patterson joined the trio on the Southern California All-Regional team.
The VC women's water polo team has had four players who were named first team All-Western State Conference in a vote by conference coaches. Sophomores Ahna Davis and Emily Baughn are joined by first year players Kelsee Espitia and Ella Montano on the WSC's list of top players from the 2023 season.
The VC women's water polo team's 2023 season came to an end Friday in the quarterfinal round of the Southern California regional Playoffs in Glendora. The No. 6-seeded Pirates (21-11) fell to No. 3 Saddleback 18-8 one round shy of a 3C2A State Tournament berth. AnnMarie Patterson and Ella Montano each scored three goals and Kelsee Espitia added two assists and three steals to the effort for VC.
Behind a balanced offensive attack in which eight different players scored a goal, the Pirates' women's water polo team defeated LA Valley 11-5 Thursday afternoon in the Southern California Regional Playoffs in Glendora. Ahna Davis had 12 saves in goal in the first three quarters in the cage, then scored twice in the field in the final stanza to lead Ventura (21-10) to the regional quarterfinals and state-qualifying round on Friday.
The Pirates' women's water polo team has qualified for the 3C2A Southern California Playoffs for the fifth straight season, earning the No. 6 seed in the regional bracket. Ventura (20-10) will open the postseason against No. 13 Los Angeles Valley (16-10) at 3:15 pm Thursday Nov. 9 at Citrus College in Glendora. The winner of that game will face No. 3 Saddleback on Friday Nov. 10 at 5:45 pm.
Despite a strong performance, the Pirates' women's water polo team made little headway against No. 1-ranked Santa Barbara in dropping a 16-6 decision to the Vaqueros in the Western State Conference finals. Six different Pirates scored, including Emily Baughn who added two assists and two drawn exclusions and Kendal Santos who pulled in five steals defensively. Ahna Davis recorded six saves in the cage as VC played in their third straight WSC final under head coach Linda Wright.
The Pirates' women's water polo team advanced to the Western State Conference title game with an 8-4 victory over Citrus Friday at LA Valley. Kelsee Espitia scored four goals, including a pair in the decisive second quarter, and Ahna Davis had six saves and five steals in the cage and also scored a goal as Ventura moved to the final for the third straight season and the 16th time since 2001.
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.
The VC women's water polo team got back on track Wednesday with an easy 18-2 victory over Santa Monica at the Ventura Aquatic Center. AnnMarie Patterson scored four goals to lead the balanced attack for VC (18-9, 3-2) while Gabrielle MacNeill netted three scores. Devin Varela handed out four assists and Kendal Santos grabbed four steals defensively. With the win, Ventura clinched the No. 3 seed in next week's Western State Conference Tournament.
The VC women's water polo team was severely tested Friday and Saturday with four Top-10 games at the Battle at the Beach Tournament in the South Bay. The No. 8-ranked Pirates defeated No. 10 Golden West in the opener before falling to No. 2 Riverside, No. 6 Saddleback and No. 8 Fullerton at the two-day tournament. Kelsee Espitia, Kendall Ribbers, Gabrielle MacNeill and Kendal Santos all netted three scores over the weekend for Ventura (17-9, 2-2).
The Pirates' women's water polo team dropped a hard-fought defensive battle at Citrus College Wednesday in Glendora, 8-6. AnnMarie Patterson and Ella Montano each scored a pair of goals for Ventura and Emily Baughn handed out three assists. Kelsee Espitia grabbed eight steals and Ahna Davis had six saves to lead the defense for VC (16-6, 2-2).
The VC women's water polo team had a difficult day at the pool, dropping a 15-7 decision to top-ranked Santa Barbara Wednesday in Western State Conference play. Ella Montano scored twice with a pair of assists, two drawn exclusions and a steal and Kendal Santos netted one goal with three steals defensively. Ahna Davis had eight saves in goal and grabbed five steals for the Pirates (16-5, 2-1).
The Pirates' women's water polo team dropped a tough Overtime decision Saturday before closing the Ventura Tournament with a victory. VC, ranked No. 8 in the state, fell to No. 10 Golden West 12-11 on a golden goal by the Rustlers before defeating Mt. San Antonio 10-5. Ella Montano had a solid day with seven goals, five drawn exclusions, three steals and two assists in the two games and Kelsee Espitia scored four times with three dimes, a paif of drawn exclusions and two thefts.
The Pirates' women's water polo team stretched their winning streak to five straight games Friday with a pair of home wins at the Ventura Tournament. VC defeated Merced 12-7 in their first contest of the day before defeating San Joaquin Delta 10-5 under the lights at the Ventura Aquatic Center. AnnMarie Patterson and Kelsee Espitia scored six and five goals, respectively, while Kendal Santos scored three times with three assists and six steals in the two-game set.
