Led by a stellar offensive performance from Kristina Garcia, the Santa Barbara High girls water polo team defeated Vista Murrieta 12-3 on Thursday to earn a spot in the 16-team main draw for the Tournament of Champions.
Santa Barbara roared out to an 11-1 lead in the first period of the tournament play-in match. Vista Murrieta heads into a 5-team round-robin grouping.
In the four other play-in games on Thursday, Agoura defeated Cathedral 8-7, Etiwanda topped Riverside Poly 13-8, Royal beat Los Osos 20-6, and Murrieta Valley topped Rosary 7-5.
Garcia tallied five goals on the day, while Jessee Ransone added another four. Grace Raisin led the Dons defense as she came away with a team high in steals and drawn ejections.
Santa Barbara with play No. 5-seeded Orange Lutheran on Friday in the Round of 16 Tournament of Champions.
