With five returning players from last year’s undefeated squad, the Ventura College women’s basketball showed they are ready to claim another WSC championship with a convincing victory over San Bernardino Valley College.

The Pirates, who dominated the Western State Conference with 18 league championships in the last 21 years and five state championships in the last nine years, are full of unselfish hardworking players again this year, said head coach Ned Mircetic.

“Be the best we can be as a team and individuals,” said Mercetic about his team’s goals for this season.

The Pirates crushed San Bernardino 51-29 in their first game of the season. Kolbeck scored 10 points and added Katie Killebrew added 8 points and 5 rebounds.

The Pirates have 16 or 17 players this year, with five returning from last year’s team, including Tina Stetson, Diana Nunez, Medina Britt, Karla Martinez and Rebecca Kolbeck. The team is so close in talent that Mircetic did not have a starting line up a week before the Nov. 14 game.

For the Ventura team to be successful this season, Mercetic saidhis team must play defense well every game for the whole season.

This season the Pirates are ranked 8th in the state preseason coaches’ poll with a good solid team according to Mercetic.

Other keys for the team are strong shooting, teamwork, playing hard and sharing the ball, says Mercetic. They must also limit mistakes.

The Pirates second game is Friday against San Diego Mesa.