Girls water polo: Newport impressive in tourney

Tony Altobelli

ORANGE - If it wasn’t for the 85-degree weather, one would have

thought the Newport Harbor High girls water polo team was playing in

February during the CIF Southern Section playoffs instead of a summer

tournament.

The Sailors opened the 2001 Villa Park Tournament in convincing

fashion, breezing past El Modena, 13-4, Saturday afternoon.

“These girls are really a lot of fun to watch,” assistant coach Autumn

Milliken said. “You can tell how much of an impression (Coach) Bill

Barnett has on this team. They are way ahead of most of the competition

in terms of practice and an understanding of the system.”

While Newport was zig-zagging through the pool with relative ease, the

Vanguards were just trying to figure out ways to keep their heads above

the water.

Jenna Murphy had four goals and an assist to lead the Sailors’ attack.

Katherine Belden added three goals and one assist, while Annie Wight and

Paige Lansing each added two goals. Solo tallies were provided by Jessica

Ball and Raylyn Ritchie.

“This is an opportunity for the freshmen and sophomores to get some

much-needed experience against other varsity players,” Milliken said.

“This tournament will help the younger players out big time.”

Newport took control of the contest early as Murphy and Lansing each

scored within the first minute of play. The Sailors tacked on two more

goals and led, 4-0, after the first quarter.

While Newport was pounding the back of the net, El Modena was trying

to work its offense to some degree of success. The Sailors’ defense was

strong, allowing only two perimeter shots in the quarter. Goalie Leah

Grocke was strong when a Vanguard shot managed to find its way to her.

The key to Newport’s success was its transition offense, repeatedly

outswimming the Vanguards for easy breakaway opportunities. Strong

perimeter defense by Wight, Murphy and Belden led to those opportunities.

Murphy scored three of her four goals in the second quarter, while

Ritchie and Wight added single goals. El Modena’s Sylvia Yanez managed to

score on a six-on-five opportunity, but it was the Sailors in command at

the half, 9-1.

The quote of the game came from an anonymous El Modena player after

the first-half horn sounded. “Only 9-1?” she said in amazement. “That

could have been a lot worse.”

Belden showed why she was an All-CIF Southern Section selection last

year, scoring back-to-back goals in the third quarter as Newport

maintained an eight-goal advantage, 11-3. Yanez and Nicole Ulivi each

scored for El Modena.

Belden added her third goal of the game and Ball found the scoreboard

in the fourth quarter to close out Newport’s scoring. Suzie Hartman

scored in the fourth for the Vanguards.

Grocke finished with seven saves and helped spark Newport’s fast-break

offense with numerous outlet passes to open swimmers.

“We’re a very smart team and there are a ton of offensive weapons

here,” Milliken said. “I’m really looking forward to next year, seeing

how far this team can go.”

Last year, Newport was eliminated in the second round of the CIF

Division I playoffs after a heartbreaking, 7-6, five-overtime loss to El

Toro on Feb. 20.

In addition to the Sailors, Corona del Mar is also taking part in this

multi-team tournament, hosted by four different high schools.