The West Valley men's water polo team nearly pitched a shutout in its Coast Conference opener at Merced Wednesday. The Vikings, ranked 2nd in the state in this week's CCCWPCA poll, showed no mercy against the Blue Devils, leading 22-0 before giving up a lob goal with 2:32 left for a 22-1 win.

Ethan MacLeod scored on WVC's first posession, triggering a tsunami that resulted in a 9-0 lead at the end of one. Eight different Vikings scored in the quarter, capped by goalkeeper William McKeon's pool-length missile at the buzzer. The lead grew to 13-0 at halftime and 20-0 at the end of the third.

Danny Rendon, Taine Pickering and Phil Portisch led the offense with three goals apiece, while Lucas Castro, MacLeod, Will Sidford and Frank Sunseri each found the back of the cage twice. Tristan Grimett grabbed a game-high five of WVC's 20 steals. Bronson Chungson had four assists. McKeon and Ethan Ivey played a half each in the cage, combining for 11 saves.

The Vikings (7-2, 1-0 Coast) head south for a stern test at this weekend's Mt. San Antonio College Invitational in Walnut. West Valley will battle 3rd-ranked Cuesta (4-0) and #6 Orange Coast Friday. They'll take on #4 LA Valley (2-3) and Palomar (1-3) Saturday.