Girls’ water polo to adjust with new coach and team

Last season, the lady Falcons were  plagued by injuries and illnesses, making it hard to practice together as a team. Despite these challenges, the team managed to place fourth in the De Anza League and competed in CCS.

This year, the team will have to adjust to a new coach as well as the loss of several key senior players.

“We have seven returning varsity players, which is a very small team,” junior driver Jessy Liu said. “But it is a good base to work off of, and we’re just hoping to move people up from JV.”

New coach Courtney Crase, who has five years of experience coaching girls’ water polo, will coach  both JV and varsity teams this year.

“It’s going to be pretty difficult this year,”  Crase said. “The boys and girls are in different divisions, so they play different schools.”

Despite the odds, Crase and the team are looking forward to the upcoming season. The lady Falcons are practicing hard and learning new techniques.

“Although Coach Crase has never been our coach before, I’ve heard great things about her coaching style,” junior Kanika Vora said. “So far, we are just working together as a team in training to prepare for our games. I’m looking forward to having a great season.”

Head coach: Courtney Crase

2014-2015 season record: 7-5

2014-2015 season recap: The team placed fourth in the De Anza League and competed in CCS quarterfinals.

Key Additions: sophomore Sandy You, freshman Alyssa Whitman and freshman Sarah Doudi.

Key Matchups: Palo Alto, Los Gatos, Gunn

Star players: seniors Alexa Frieberg, Haley Rositano and Jace Welton

Key Losses (graduated athletes): Puck de Roos, Amanda Moriarty, Mackenzie Rosenthal, Madison Gress

League: Santa Clara Valley Athletics League, De Anza Division

Prognosis (include a quote by player or coach): “Because it’s such a new team, [the team’s] main focus so far has been ball work and body positioning in the water,” Crase said.