Practice key to girls water polo success

Kiersten Iwai | Photographer

The team jumps into the water with only one thing on their minds.

“In those two hours nothing else matters but water polo,” senior Oriana Jimenez said. “It’s about dedication. The people who come to practice know it’s about water polo and nothing else. Everyone puts all the drama behind.”

Its this sort of dedication from the varsity girls water polo team that has led them to a record of 1-0 this Wednesday.

Their hope is to be league champions for the third time in a row. Jimenez thinks there are a few ways to achieve this goal.

“It’d be really nice if we had more supporters,” she said. “We would be more motivated to win.”

Jimenez also thinks practicing for two hours every day will also help the girls reach their goal.

“It’s intense but we get a lot of work done,” junior Serena Del Campo said.

Junior Kathryn Evans, the goalie, does different drills.

“He [Coach Jon Au] gives the goalie a lot of jumping drills,” she said. “We’re working on conditioning a lot more because he wants us to be able to outlast our opponents.”

Practice helps improve their game as well as helping bond the team.

“Right now it’s just practicing and working hard that bonds the team,” Evans said. “Everyone gets along pretty well. We’re pretty much family.”

The girls water polo team went to the Ronald McDonald house over Thanksgiving break to cook for families in need; this contributed to their tight bond.

“It was really nice to be able to cook for the children at the hospital and it was fun being with the team,” Evans said.

“We were all giving up time to help these people and it was for a good cause,” Jimenez said. “We made them a meal and all they had to do was reheat it.”

Even the little things they do before a game help them bond.

“Before every game, our coach gives an inspirational pep talk,” Jimenez said.

The team is very close even though there are only four returners.

“It doesn’t matter if we lost our seniors,” Jimenez said. “We all have the common goal to be number one.” Some girls even have their own personal goals for this season.

“My main goal is that I don’t let the team down,” Evans said.

“A personal goal would be to make at least two goals in every game,” Jimenez said.

“My goal is to contribute in winning CIF,” Campo said.

Water polo is enjoyed for many different reasons. For senior Emily Bell, who is also one of the team captains, it’s the freedom.

“I like the physicality of it,” she said. “You can just let out all of your emotions on the water.”

At the Bronco Invite the girls played five games winning three and losing two. The tournament was on Dec 3, 4, and 5. They played Fountain Valley, RB, Poway, Scripps Ranch and Patrick Henry.

The only four returners are seniors Wendy Dorr, Emily Bell, Oriana Jimenez and Mojgan Malekpour.

The girls varsity water polo team will always only be thinking about one thing once they dive into the competitive water. With their tight bond, they think they definitely have achievable goals for this season.

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