The fast-paced sport of water polo is a seven-a-side game where players from opposing teams attempt to throw a volleyball-like ball into the opponent’s net. According to an article on the Olympic website, the intense sport originates back to the Nineteenth century, when the game was played atop barrells, closely resembling the sport of polo (olympic.org). Water polo evolved over the years into the sport it is today.

   According to Senior Captain Clara Steinhauer, the team has done well in the past. “Last year’s season we did pretty good: we tied for League. This year, we lost one of our best players to Berkeley, but I am sure we will still be able to succeed this season,” said Steinhauer. Junior Set Gaurd Isabelle Halaka agreed. “One of  my goals for the team this year is to win League again. Last year we did pretty well, because we  had good coaches and a strong Varsity Team. We won league last year, but there is always room for improvement for the upcoming season. I’m hoping that this season we will have more determination, allowing us to move farther in CIF than we did last year,” said Halaka.

“Last season went very well and I was very proud of the team! We were co-League champions and made it to quarter finals in CIF,” said Varsity Coach Audra Bloom.

   “Our strength this year will be our front court offense led by our seniors and strong defense led by Junior Guard Janelle Hicks,” said Bloom. “Our biggest rival is probably our inner League rival, Scripps Ranch,” said Bloom.

   “This year I want make sure everyone is really enthusiastic about the season and the sport. I’m the captain of the team this year so I really just want everyone to have a good time while playing. I want everyone to want to come to practice and feel committed and feel like they actually want to be there. It isn’t as fun when nobody really wants to be at practice or at a game,” said Steinhauer.

   “I’ve been playing water polo for about six years. I got into the sport because my swim coach came up to me one day at swim practice suggesting I try out the sport. I went and tried it out and found it was a way I could get my anger out and be aggressive in a safe environment. I like playing set or set gaurd because it is the most physical and it, in my opinion, makes me work the hardest,” said Halaka.

   “I have been playing water polo for around six years. My brother played in high school, and we just went to the pool one day and he taught me how to egg beat [tread water]. My dad also told me that it would help me get into college because not a lot of people play the sport,  which was an added bonus,” said Steinhauer.

   “The sport has made me more persistent and has made me more emotionally strong in my life,” said Steinhauer. “The sport has definitely made me more confident and able to speak out more. It’s made me more of a leader and made me able to talk in group settings more,” said Halaka.

   “Sometimes I wish the sport was more well-known, because it would make it more interesting for other people when I talk about the sport, they would understand what exactly I mean. It is a really fun team and everyone is really nice. Even though it seems like an extremely aggressive sport, the whole team is really just a group of girls like every other group out there,” said Steinhauer. “I am excited to have a large team and develop the skills of a new group of athletes,” said Bloom.