WHITTIER, Calif. – The VMI water polo team began its Spring Furlough trip to California with an 11-6 victory over Whittier Monday evening at the Slade Aquatics Center in Whittier, California.

The Keydets (12-7) opened the match with a 4-3 advantage through the first period before buckling down on defense in the second period to allow only one goal while scoring three of their own for a 7-4 halftime lead. VMI would go on to score four more goals in the second half and permitted only two more Whittier goals for the 11-6 victory.  Whittier finished 0-7 in the match on powerplay opportunities.

VMI was led by four goals from both Shelby Barkley and Sarah Dolitsky while Emma Perez, Natalie Rivas and Rebecca Serrano each tallied one.  Whittier outshot the Keydets by a 32-30 count, but VMI goalie Isabel French was credited with 10 saves during the game to preserve the win.

The Keydets face No. 16 UC Santa Barbara Tuesday at noon PDT in Santa Barbara, California.