Girls water polo: CdM, Tars in CIF semis

Barry Faulkner

Top-seeded Corona del Mar High continues its expected run to the

CIF Southern Section Division IV girls water polo title today, while

Newport Harbor is aiming for something unexpected in its Division I

semifinal.

CdM (22-7), the champion of the Pacific Coast League, is the

designated host against No. 4-seeded Tustin (22-3) in a Division IV

semifinal at 3 p.m. at Irvine’s Heritage Park.

The Sea Kings have at least three common opponents with Tustin. CdM

and Tustin both defeated El Modena and Sunny Hills by similar margins,

but CdM topped Laguna Beach, 8-2, and Tustin was a 5-3 loser against the

Artists. Laguna Beach eliminated CdM in last year’s semifinals.

“Any team that makes it to the semifinals and has the kind of record

Tustin does, will be a formidable challenge,” CdM first-year coach Aaron

Chaney said. “But I’ve been happy with the way we’re playing. Our girls

seem very focused and enthusiastic.”

CdM is led offensively by All-CIF returners Christina Hewko and

Danielle Carslon, as well as fellow junior Brittany Bowlus. Daniela

DiGiacomo, who was All-CIF as a sophomore last year, is another CdM

standout.

Newport Harbor (23-6), the No. 3 seed, is the visitor against No.

2-seeded Foothill in a 3 p.m. Division I semifinal at Tustin High.

Coach Bill Barnett’s Sea View League champions have lost twice to the

two-time defending CIF Division I champions, 5-4 and 9-3, though the

latter Knights’ win was later forfeited due to the illegal participation

of a suspended coach.

“They’re the toughest team we’ve played,” Barnett said of the Knights,

whose defense is his primary concern.

“Our problem against them will be scoring. They have tremendous speed,

play great pressure defense and have the national junior team goalie.”

The Tars are led by three-time All-CIF and UCLA-bound senior Katherine

Belden, juniors Jenna Murphy and Annie Wight, as well as sophomore

Jessica Ball.

Today’s winners advance to Saturday’s finals at Belmont Plaza. The

other Division IV semi includes No. 4-seeded University (14-8) and El

Dorado (9-8). The other Division I semi pits top-seeded Santa Margarita

(25-3) against Long Beach Wilson (21-9).