The SBCC women’s water polo team upended defending champion West Valley, 13-7, to reach the California Community College Athletic Association state championship game.
The Vaqueros, who lost to West Valley in last year’s final, will play Orange Coast in Saturday’s title game. Orange Coast defeated San Joaquin Delta,17-9 in the other semifinal.
Freshman duo Bella Straley and Claire Daland each scored four goals to pace the Vaqueros, while sophomores Jenna Olson and Eden Tal followed with two scores.
Dual threat goalkeepers kept a pesky West Valley offense at bay as sophomore Chloe McKay and freshman Ava Donleavy protected the pipes for two quarters each.
Orange Coast, who recently defeated Santa Barbara in the Southern Regional Championships, advances to the state championship game after routing San Joaquin Delta, 17-9. It was a tight game as both teams were knotted up at four all, but a 5-0 run that capped the first half and leaked into the third quarter put the Pirates in the driver’s seat.
Sophomore Destiny Hernandez was relentless as she has been all season by leading the Pirates with six goals, while sophomore Jillian Duwe backed her with three goals.