The girls’ water polo team finished its regular season with a 14-9 overall record and a 6-0 league record, claiming the Mission League title for the 21st year in a row.
The team had a strong performance in the Mission League Tournament on Feb. 7-9 to take the title. The victory marked the ninth consecutive season in which the Wolverines have finished undefeated in league play. After a first round bye, the team faced FSHA in the semifinals, whom they beat 9-1 earlier in the season and defeated 11-3 the second time around. The squad played in the final Feb. 9, defeating Alemany 21-3 to claim the title.
“It feels really amazing to win the championship for league and to win it the way we did,” Villanova commit Camille Oswald ’17 said. “We are all very proud to continue and be a part of the tradition of winning the Mission League.”
Princeton commit Paige Thompson ’17 shared similar sentiments.
“My favorite moment of the season was definitely beating Alemany in the championship,” Thompson said. “Before our season started, they thought they had a chance at beating us, and we not only shut any thought of that down by beating them first 17-8, but then completely dominated them 21-3 in the finals.”
Head Coach Brian Flacks said he is also happy with how the girls performed at a higher level of play after starting the season 2-5.
“I’ve just been really pleased with the progress that we have made through the season,” Flacks said. “[The progress] has been outstanding. Particularly through the last half of the season we have become much more consistent. It is really nice to see that we are playing our best now at the end of the year.”
The squad has come together in and out of the pool almost seamlessly, despite featuring players of all ages. Although having a freshman and sophomore in the starting lineup may come as a surprise for spectators, Flacks has remained unfazed.
“There haven’t been any breakout players for me because I know what to expect from them,” Flacks said. “I see them train every day so when they play nothing really surprises me.”
Looking past this season, Flacks aims to create a successsful program. Despite the bumps early on, Flacks said that the good results at the end of the season emphasize the hard work the team put in. The team looks to translate their months of practice into success as they take on Los Altos in the first round of the CIF Division III Playoffs Feb. 15.
