Diablo Valley had Merced College's play sniffed out.
If the Lady Devils were going to pull out the sudden-death overtime victory in the championship game of the NorCal women's water polo tournament, someone other than Poni McGee was going to have to do it.
As she's done all season, Mallory Howard won the opening sprint, giving MC the first crack at the win.
DVC instantly doubled McGee in the hole set.
The Lady Devils patiently tried to work the ball around, probing for an opening to get a pass in to McGee. But with six seconds left on the shot clock, someone else was going to have to play hero.
Halie Pruneda assumed the role on her birthday, firing a shot from 10 yards out into the top corner of the net. The goal gave Merced College a 7-6 overtime victory, securing the NorCal title and the NorCal top seed in this week's State Tournament.
MC (30-1) will open with SoCal runner-up Golden West (20-3) at 11:45 a.m. on Friday.
"It was one of the most exciting games I've ever seen," MC head coach Bill Halpin said. "They did a good job making sure Poni wasn't going to get the ball.
"With about six seconds left on the shot clock I found myself yelling, 'Be a hero Halie, be a hero.'
"There wasn't anyone around her because she was so far away from goal, but she just ripped the shot.
"There was like a 20-second pause where no one knew what happened because it was dark. Then everyone erupted and the entire bench jumped into the pool."
MC started the title game fast, leading 3-1 after the first quarter and 5-2 in the third.
The Vikings fought back.
DVC (22-4) cut the lead to 5-4 in the fourth quarter. The Lady Devils had a chance to ice the game in the final minute, but Katie Elam's one-on-one chance was saved.
The Vikings answered with the tying goal on their ensuing possession to force ovetime.
Elam atoned for her misfire with a goal in the first overtime period. MC seemed to have things wrapped up, but Diablo Valley's Taylor Henry scored with five seconds left in the second overtime to force sudden death.
McGee scored twice in the game and Howard had nine big steals. Howard was named the tournament MVP, while McGee and Stevie Wills each made the all-tournament team.
"I was a little worried because we'd wasted so many chances," Halpin said. "We only scored once in nine man-up opportunities, but we found a way to persevere.
"Going to state is a special opportunity, and I'm glad these girls get to experience that."
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