Girls’water polo team recovers from problems with pool

After a problematic season, the 6-4 girls’ water polo team is regaining lost ground with a win 8-2 against Los Altos on Oct. 24, a win 10-6 against Palo Alto on Oct. 22 and two out of three wins games on Oct. 18-19 in a two-day tournament at Los Gatos.

Despite the recent wins, junior co-captain Madison Gress thinks the Falcons have a long way to go.

“We started off [the season] doing a lot better and we were winning a lot of games,” Gress said. “We’re all pretty disappointed with how we’re doing right now.”

Many of the problems stem from the pool breaking down in September. Because the pool was unavailable, practices were inconsistent and less productive. With the exception of one practice in the pool at West Valley, the team depended on dryland practices or coaching by ear. 

“We’ve been doing really well for moving up a league, but I think we need to work on our communication when we’re in the water a little more,” sophomore driver Jace Welton said. “It’s been difficult because we haven’t been able to be in our best shape, swimming every day and practicing our plays.”

The pool was fixed as on Oct. 14, and the girls have been quickly regaining lost ground.

“We’re just getting back into shape right now,” junior driver Amanda Moriarty said. “But it’s been going really well, and we’re getting back to the standard we were at [at the beginning of the season].”

Even with the recent drawbacks, most members of the team feel that their team chemistry has drastically improved from last year. 

“Last year, we had a new coach, so it was just getting used to him and transitioning,” Moriarty said. “This year we’ve been able to focus on technique and getting into shape, and working together because we all know each other now and we’ve known each other for a year.”

Senior co-captain and driver Nikki de Roos said the team will not know if they will be advancing to CCS until after SCVAL Leagues.

“I believe we will place somewhere around fourth,” de Roos said, “but I don’t know if that will be good enough.”

Because of printing deadlines, the Falcon is unable to provide for scores on games against Gunn and Homestead on Oct. 29 and 31, and SCVAL Leagues.