2024 Ventura College Women's Water Polo Team News
Ventura College student athletes excelled once again in the classroom in 2024-25 with a total of 101 Pirates achieving a 3.5 GPA or higher, earning mention on the Dean's List, in the fall 2024 term while taking in 12 or more units of study, with 46 student athletes recording a perfect 4.0 GPA. In spring 2025, 99 VC student athletes were named on the Dean's List with 44 posting perfect GPA's.
Ventura College center AnnMarie Patterson has earned All-American honors from the California Community College Water Polo Coaches Association for her performance during the 2024 season. The sophomore from Springville, CA also was named a second team all-tournament selection for the 3C2A Southern California Regional Playoffs last month.
Ventura College sophomores Kelsee Espitia and AnnMarie Patterson were named first team all-Western State Conference for the 2024 season in voting by the conference coaches last month. Espitia adds a second straight first team honor while Patterson was second team All-WSC a year ago. Ella Montano and Ava Carey garnered second teamm all-conference accolades.
The VC women's water polo team had their season come to an end thursday in the first round of the 3C2A Southern California Regional Playoffs. The Pirates dropped an 11-9 decision to conference rival Cuesta in the tournament at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. AnnMarie Patterson scored five goals to lead VC (18-13) and Ava Carey totaled eight saves in the cage.
Despite a disappointing finish in the Western State Conference Tournament, the VC women's water polo team has qualified for the 3C2A Southern California Regional Playoffs to be held at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa this coming weekend. The Pirates, seeded No. 10, will take on No. 7 Cuesta in a first round game on Thursday Nov. 14 at 11:30 am.
The VC women's water polo team dropped a narrow 11-10 decision to Cuesta on Saturday in the third-place game o fthe Western State Conference Tournament at Citrus College. Keslsee Espitia led the effort for the Pirates (18-12, 4-4) with four goals and five assists while Caitlyn Hilgenberg and Ella Montano each netted a pair of scores. Hilgenberg and Milla Malesich each recorded four steals defensively and Ava Carey had 10 saves in the cage.
The VC women's water polo team fell in the semifinal round of the Western State Conference Tournament Friday against top-seeded Santa Barbara, 21-5. AnnMarie Patterson scored three goals in the effort for Ventura and Kelsee Espitia had a goal with two assists and two drawn exclusions. Ella Montano also scored for VC and grabbed four steals defensively.
The VC women's water polo team kept their season going Thursday with a 16-6 victory at Los Angeles Valley in the Play-In Round of the Western State Conference Tournament. Caitlyn Hilgenberg came through big time with four goals and four assists while AnnMarie Patterson also scored four times. Kelsee Espitia scored three times with three helpers in the victory for Ventura (18-10, 4-2).
The VC women's water polo team shot down the Cerritos Falcons 17-3 Saturday in Santa Barbara to conclude the 2024 regular season. Kelsee Espitia scored four goals to lead the Pirates (17-10, 3-2) while Mikela De Aguiar and Ella Montano each netted three scores. Montano added three assists and grabbed five steals in the game and Milla Malesich also recorded five thefts. Jojo Thayne recorded four assists and three steals.
The VC women's water polo team dropped a 13-9 decision against Citrus COllege Wednesday at the Ventura Aquatic Center in their final regular season conference game. AnnMarie Patterson and Kelsee Espitia each scored three times and Milla Malesich netted a pair of goals. Ava Carey totaled nine saves in the cage.
The VC women's water polo team claimed a pair of victories Saturday to close th e Battle at the Beach Tournament in Long Beach. The Pirates outlasted Merced 17-15 before defeating San Diego Miramar 9-8 in the tournament finale. Kelsee Espitia scored seven goals and handed out nine assists on the day to lead Ventura (16-9, 3-1). AnnMarie Patterson and Milla Malesich each netted six scores in the two games while Ava Carey totaled 22 saves in the cage.
The Pirates' women's water polo team split a pair of games Friday at the Battle at the Beach Tournament in Long Beach, falling to No. 7-ranked Orange Coast before defeating Grossmont. Ella Montano and AnnMarie Patterson each scored five goals on the day and Kelsee Espitia netted four scores for Ventura (14-9, 3-1). The victory against the Griffins was the 100th career win for VC head coach Linda Wright in her seventh year directing the program.
In a battle for first place in the Western State Conference standings, the Pirates' women's water polo team dropped a narrow 12-11 decision to Santa Barbara Wednesday at the Ventura Aquatic Center. Ava Carey had an outstanding day in the cage with 10 saves, including four on 5m shots while AnnMarie Patterson paced the offensive attack with seven goals and five drawn exclusions for Ventura (13-8, 3-1).
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 o fthe 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).
The VC women's water polo team claimed a pair of wins Saturday to finish the Ventura Tournament. The Pirates held off Modesto 13-9 in their first game of the day before running away from Pasadena, 24-3. Kelsee Espitia had a banner day with 12 goals, two assists and two steals to lead the way and AnnMarie Patterson scored four goals in the two games.Ava Carey turned back 12 shots in the cage for Ventura (12-7, 2-0).
The VC women's water polo team began the Ventura Tournament Friday with a pair of difficult losses, 11-6 to Sierra and 11-10 to Fullerton, at the Ventura Aquatic Center. Ella Montano netted three goals with three assists, four steals and three drawn exclusions while AnnMarie Patterson scored six times in the two games with three thefts and three drawn exclusions.
