Women's Water Polo opened the 2023 Western State Conference Tournament with a one-goal win over host and #4-seed LA Valley, 5-4, which helped them clinch another playoff berth under Coach Rachel Gruetzmacher. The Cougars later lost to undefeated Santa Barbara, 12-3, in the semi-final and were edged by host Citrus, 9-7, for the Bronze, but, excepting the 2020 Covid season and suspended 2021 campaigns, also secured their fifth consecutive playoff berth. The Cougars ended their regular season 13-15 overall and in 4th place in the WSC.
Cuesta opens the post-season at Citrus College in Glendora this Thursday (11:30) against Pacific Coast Conference Champion San Diego Miramar. The 9th-seeded Jets went undefeated in the PCC and own a sparkling 20-5 overall record; however, one of those five setbacks came against the Cougars, 12-11, in an overtime game at Long Beach's "Battle at the Beach" Tournament. Miramar's offense is powered by Nalani Galindo, who leads an offense that averages over 14 goals a game. Galindo ranks 4th in the State with 104 goals, while the Jets' other five starters have each scored more than 30 goals this season. Cuesta's All-State Driver Chloe Porter and Freshman Leanna Reed, with 63 and 38 respectively, are the only Cougars with more than 30 goals this season. The Cougars and Jets are seeded 8th and 9th, respectively, in the 12-team field with the winner set to face #1-seed Santa Barbara on Friday (2 PM)
2023 CCCAA PLayoff Seedings
- Santa Barbara- Western State
- Riverside- Orange Empire
- Saddleback- Orange Empire
- Orange Coast- Orange Empire
- Long Beach- South Coast
- Ventura- Western State
- Citrus- Western State
- CUESTA- WESTERN STATE
- Miramar- Pacific Coast
- Grossmont- Pacific Coast
- LA Valley- Western State
- San Diego Mesa- Pacific Coast
