Team spirit

Joseph Boo

COSTA MESA - So Estancia High’s girls water polo team didn’t win a

lot of games last year. The question this year is, what aren’t the Eagles

doing?

Under second-year coach Michelle Spanley, Estancia has been progressing

quite nicely since it started three years ago. The Eagles have a larger

schedule, and they will even host the first-ever Estancia Water Polo

Classic.

More importantly, the girls are getting a sense of being a team, through

practice and activities.

“We’re focusing on team unity and school pride,” Spanley said.

“(The girls) are starting to show pride that they’re on the water polo

team. And there’s a lot more visible staff support. People seem to know

about the team now.”

In the pool, Estancia lost most of its experienced players to graduation.

Only one senior, Sarah Hess, is on the roster this year.

The one exception is junior Somer Flaherty, who was second-team

All-Pacific Coast League last year.

“She’s extremely aggressive,” Spanley said. “She’s team-oriented, highly

motivated and academically excellent.”

Beyond Flaherty, the Eagles will go through more growing pains. But then,

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and synergy is a key concept at Estancia.

The Eagles had a sizable turnout for the team this year and the junior

varsity squad will be amply stocked. Most of the JV players will be

trying water polo for the first time, so the varsity team has been

working closely with the JV players to teach them the game.

As Estancia loses its inexperienced tag as the season progresses, the

Eagles are determined to make the most of it.

“We’re growing each year,” Spanley said. “We’re excited about our new

coaching staff. Whether we win or lose, we’ll hold our head up high.”

Roster

Somer Flaherty Jr.

Sarah Hess Sr.

Sarah Elizabeth Anaruma Fr.

Lauren Collier So.

Hanni Geider So.

Jasmine Geider So.

Vanessa Hernandez Jr.

Diana Kopasek So.

Cara Loya Jr.

Katie Menden Jr.

Laura Morton Fr.

Anna Rasmussen Jr.

Natalie Wells Jr.

Katherine Wyman So.

Jennifer Patton So.

Coach: Michelle Spanley