Santa Barbara Leads 3CWPCA Rankings
After another strong two weeks of action, the Golden West College Rustler's men's team and the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros women's team continue to occupy the top spots in the second California Community College Water Polo Coaches Association (3WCPA) rankings.
Men
The perennial southern powerhouse of Golden West still remains atop the rankings. They currently sit 13-1 in a competitive Orange Empire Conference (OEC). They are currently riding a six-game winning streak entering their second conference contest on Wednesday. The Rustlers have yet to lose a 3C2A contest after victories against No. 9 LA Valley, No. 5 Mt. San Antonio, No. 6 Long Beach, and American River who is receiving votes.
Leading the charger is freshman Tomas De Luca who has netted 30 goals, pocketed 17 steals, and dished out 14 assists. He is joined by sophomore Itay Roth who has fired home 25 goals, while freshman Emiliano Tovar follows with 23 goals. Freshman goalkeeper Pablo Souza is 7-0 between the pipes leading to 48 saves in 11 games.
No. 2 West Valley follows and rides a five-game winning streak. They, too, have not dropped a 3C2A contest. No. 3 Saddleback joins Golden West in the OEC conference to round out the top three. No. 4 Orange Coast is the third and final OEC squad to land inside the top-five.
No. 6 Long Beach just misses the top five, while fell South Coast Conference (SCC) No. 7 Cerritos finishes neck and neck. No. 8 Cuesta moves up in two positions in the poll, while No. 9 LA Valley and No. 10 Sierra drop one slot.
Women
Undefeated Santa Barbara remains the favorite in the state as they swept the first-place votes to remain the top dog. Their 15-0 record is the best amongst their competitors. Their schedule has been far from a cakewalk with two victories over No. 4 Saddleback followed by triumphs over No. 5 Sierra, No. 2 Riverside, and No. 7 Long Beach.
Three players have scored 20 or more goals with freshman Addie Lane pacing the team. She has hammered home 30 goals accompanied by 27 steals and eight assists. Sophomore Claire Daland has scored 24 goals and pocketed 20 steals, while freshman Cate Daland follows with 20 netters and 29 blocked shots. Freshman Kate Densmore had manned the goal flawlessly with 112 saves en route to 15 wins.
No. 2 Riverside holds down the second slot with eight more wins in the past two weeks with their only loss coming to the Vaqueros. No. 3 West Valley represents the North with an 11-1 mark.
No. 4 Saddleback and No. 5 Orange Coast round out the top five, while No. 9 Fullerton and No. 10 Golden West make up the bottom and the remainder of the ranked OEC teams.
No. 5 Sierra is just one of two northern squads to break the top-10 with Cabrillo, San Joaquin Delta, and College of the Marin receiving votes. No. 7 Long Beach, the only team without a winning record, remains in the same spot while No. 8 Ventura holds steady as well.