After going winless last year, Pierce continued its losing streak against the Pirates in their home opener.
Ventura started out to a quick lead and were only ever slowed by their choice in pace of play.
Coach Judi Terhar had nothing but praise for Ventura.
“Ventura is one of the best teams around,” Terhar said. “They have unbelievable water polo players and swimmers.”
Pierce has a young team, with only three returning players from last year. According to assistant coach Samantha Buliavac some joined as recently as last friday, five days prior to this game.
Buliavac, a Pierce alum who played for the Brahmas in 2012 and 2013, looks forward to getting the team prepared for the rest of the season.
“It’s really exciting because it’s all brand new potential,” Buliavac said. “Just teaching people about a sport you’re really passionate about. It’s all just about making sure that from today we only get better.”
The Brahmas had to play short-handed, with seven players ineligible, due to insurance paperwork.
“I basically pulled a lot of people off the swim team to try to be water polo players,” Terhar said.
Problems with paperwork left Pierce with no substitutes on the bench, but Terhar is confident that they should be ready to go with 14 players for their away meet at Citrus College next Wednesday.
“Saturday they all came here to have that done,” Terhar said. “They did their physicals, and someone came in the classroom they were teaching the orientation in and kicked them out at one o’clock.”
The lone star for the Brahmas was Tamar Kazanjian who scored the only three goals. Despite the loss, Kazanjian has a positive look at the game and the coming season.
“That was a good first game for our team,” Kazanjian said. “It’ll really help the new girls and even the ones that are experienced. With more practice, more games, and more scrimmages we’ll come together as a team and our next few games should be better.”
The Brahmas next game is Wednesday, September 28 at 3:30 p.m. at Citrus College.
