Vikings roll through Coast tourney for 32nd straight Coast title; Seed named MVP

GK Kai Seed was named the 2022 Coast Conference MVP (photo by Josh Nickel for WVC Athletics)
GK Kai Seed was named the 2022 Coast Conference MVP (photo by Josh Nickel for WVC Athletics)

The West Valley men's water polo team captured its 32nd consecutive Coast Conference championship with a pair of wins Saturday at the WVC Aquatics Center. The sixth straight championship under Coach Willo Rodriguez sends the Vikings to the CCCAA NorCal Championships Nov. 11-12 at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton.

West Valley over Ohlone 21-3

The Vikings (26-1, 6-0 Coast) opened the tournament with a wire-to-wire win over the Renegades (10-8, 2-5). WVC led 9-0 after one and then outscored Ohlone 7-2 in the second quarter for an insurmountable 16-2 haltime lead. WVC posted a 4-0 fourth quarter to take the win.

Togan Ozbek and Carlos Zayola led WVC with four goals each, followed by three each from Bendeguz Aubeli, Hamish Bonnar and Eric Ellison. Aubeli and Ozbek each had three of WVC's 16 steals. Kai Seed and Wyatt Beymer combined for the win in goal.

West Valley over Las Positas 16-7

The Vikings blanked the Hawks (18-14, 4-2) 4-0 in the opening quarter to control the championship game. Ellison connected on five of his eight shots to lead the offense, followed by Mario Almarza with four tallies. Zayola found the back of the cage three times, while Ante Buzov scored twice. Ellison and Zayola each recorded three steals. Every Viking goalkeeper played, with Seed, Beymer, Luca Antonino and Casey Ocallaghan recording one quarter each.

All-Coast Conference Team

Kai Seed was named the 2022 Coast Conference Most Valuable Player, and Willo Rodriguez was selected the Coast Coach of the Year for the sixth straight year. Joining Seed on the All-Coast 1st Team were Ante Buzov, Gojko Kapovic and Lucas Romaguera. Mario Almarza, Bendeguz Aubeli and Togan Ozbek were selected to the All-Coast 2nd Team, while Hamish Bonnar, Eric Ellison, Jacob Hatch, Jacob Muncy, Casey Ocallaghan, Jordan Will and Carlos Zayola picked up All-Coast Honorable Mention honors.

Information about the CCCAA NorCal tournament can be found here:https://www.cccaasports.org/CCCWPCA/Regionals/2022_CCCAA_Water_Polo_NorCal_Regional_Fact_Sheet_v1_-2-.pdf