CERRITOS -- One week after defeating Diablo Valley College in an overtime thriller to win the NorCal title, the Merced College women's water polo team and the Vikings were at it again.
It was the Lady Devils having to do the coming back this time around as the two squads battled it out for third place at the State Tournament on Saturday.
Katie Elam and her game-high five goals helped MC erase a 5-4 deficit heading into the fourth quarter and force overtime for the second straight week.
But this time fortune favored DVC.
The Vikings' Taylor Henry found herself with some space at the hole set in the second sudden-death overtime period and fired the game-winner past goalkeeper Liz Menefee (12 saves).
The goal gave Diablo Valley a 9-8 victory and avenged a pair of losses to the Lady Devils earlier in the season.
"This game was probably even more exciting than the one we played last week," MC head coach Bill Halpin said. "We scored first in overtime, but just couldn't hold onto the lead.
"Their girl got the ball and some space in the second sudden death and that was it.
"We certainly had our chances in this one, but it's hard to complain about a 30-3 season and fourth place at state."
Lady Devils leading scorer Poni McGee (goal) separated her shoulder with a couple minutes to play in regulation, limiting the MC offense the rest of the way.
Elam helped pick up the scoring slack, and was named to the all-State Tournament team.
Vanessa Morales and Stevie Wills also found the back of the net in the loss.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Fresno City 78,
Merced College 53
The Merced College women's basketball team had no answer for Tabitha Torres and her 29 points as the Lady Devils fell to Fresno City in the consolation championship game of the Merced College Coca-Cola Shootout.
Verleah Jones led MC with 14 points and 11 rebounds and Kortani Brown, Antoinette Johnson and Tanisha Shaw all added 8 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Rams' 10 3-pointers.
E-Mail
Print
