Outlook: More of the same

Steve Virgen

With one solid year of familiarity with the Corona del Mar High

girls water polo team, Coach Aaron Chaney has come to one definite

realization.

“I’m really excited about this season,” said Chaney, who guided

the Sea Kings to the program’s first CIF title in his first year, as

CdM won the CIF Division IV championship.

“I didn’t know what to expect from these girls last year when I

came in,” Chaney continued. “But this year, my expectations are

higher and I think they have high expectations as well. My

expectations are higher because I know now what they are capable of.”

Chaney learned more about his squad this past summer. There will

be more scoring options than senior star Christina Hewko, who

recently signed a letter of intent with Stanford.

“We had a real good summer,” said Chaney, the CIF Division IV

Coach of the Year. “We have a lot of options. I think I have eight

girls who can score. In different games, different people can score.

Last year, we saw that. There were games when (Hewko) scored one goal

and I thought others stepped up.”

Last year’s talented core of Hewko, Brittney Bowlus, Danielle

Carlson and Daniela DiGiacomo, who figured largely in CdM’s

championship run last year, return as seniors and are depended upon

to deliver leadership, scoring and another Pacific Coast League

title. Last year, the Sea Kings won their third straight PCL crown,

yet it was their first outright championship. Hewko led the charge,

scoring 85 goals, recording 60 steals and dishing out 34 assists on

her way to PCL MVP and CIF Division IV Player of the Year honors.

Carlson (26 goals, 66 steals and 43 assists), Bowlus (54 goals and 26

steals) and DiGiacomo (42 goals and 41 steals) earned first-team

All-PCL and first-team All-CIF Division IV laurels. Carlson and Hewko

will try to make it four straight years in which they earn such

status. Bowlus will play for UCLA next year, while Carlson and

DiGiacomo are narrowing their options.

“I think we should win league,” Chaney said. “Because I know

Laguna (Beach) lost some girls to graduation. But Laguna has a good

goalie (Lina Moore). They’re always scrappy, and we have to play them

in their pool. They’re always tough there. University has talented

players, too. They will be good. Nothing is for sure, but we have a

lot more depth than the other teams.”

In addition to Hewko, Bowlus, Carlson and DiGiacomo, Chaney also

has seniors Jessica Harkins, Kelli Kline and Keelan Cuyler as well as

juniors Vivian Liao, Katya Eadington, Natalie Wayte and Amy Strack

returning from last year’s championship team.

And if that wasn’t enough, CdM opponents will have to deal with

another Hewko this season. Christine’s younger sister, Camille, a

freshman, will also be on the varsity squad. Camille, who has solid

scoring ability, is the youngest on a roster that includes sophomores

Jordan Anae, the school’s 100-yard backstroke record-holder, and

Brittany Fullen.

Fullen, who has also provided excitement for Chaney, takes over

for former goalie Jessica Wells, who graduated last year.

“(Fullen) will most likely fill in those shoes of being the

goalie,” Chaney said. “She’s about 6-foot-1. She has good skills. I’m

really excited about having her. She had a great summer and improved

a lot. I feel comfortable about her coming in and playing varsity.”

The Sea Kings will be in CIF Division II this year. Chaney said

CdM is a contender in Division II, which will be tough with the

additions of Villa Park and Canyon.