The Oakdale High JV girls water polo squad made the short trek to Modesto over the weekend and put together a solid performance during the Beyer-Johansen Water Polo Tournament.

The Lady Mustangs came home with a respectable fifth place finish in the tournament, completing their final preparation before the kick off of the Modesto Metro Conference schedule’s opening game with Ceres.

Oakdale battled from the tournament’s opening, going into sudden-death overtime against the eventual tournament champion Turlock Bulldogs in an 8-7 thriller.

Oakdale was able to bounce back with consecutive victories over Beyer and Lodi High, closing out Friday’s action with a 2-1 record in the 16-team tournament.

The Lady Mustangs continued their good work in day two of the tournament, knocking off Grace Davis and then Merced in the fifth place contest.

The team will have to use their performance during the two-day tournament as momentum for an expected tough fight during their MMC schedule.

“This tournament is early on in the season,” Oakdale head coach Diane Kline said. “It’s a good learning experience for all of our new players. We were also able to a preview of what to expect in league play this year.

“Finishing fifth out of 16 teams is a big confidence boost as well.”

The Lady Mustangs will hopefully continue their forward progress when they play host to Enochs High Sept. 17, beginning after the varsity contests.