Eagles seeking surprise

Bryce Alderton

Estancia High boys water polo coach John Carpenter wants his players

ready for anything. He also wants them prepared to do everything once

the season begins this fall.

Both scenarios should include mastering such skills as taking

turns firing on goal or blocking shots in the cage, as well as the

ability to focus on strategy as much as the physical demands of the

sport.

Carpenter, entering his 25th season at the helm, inherits an

experienced corps that includes seven returners he hopes will keep

defenses constantly guessing.

“The thing you don’t want is to get into a vanilla game where the

ball goes in set, to the driver, and then to the right,” Carpenter

said. “You want to mix it up a little bit ... single set, double set,

no set. Every year, we try something different. We have done no-set

offenses in the past.”

Carpenter said the Eagles worked on the counterattack during a

summer that included a 10-5 record in tournaments.

“We have good overall team speed,” Carpenter said.

One of the Eagles’ faster players is junior Chad Kunert, who

scored more than 30 goals last season, Carpenter said.

Kunert and senior co-captain Sean Goodman, both entering their

third varsity season, figure to be the Eagles’ top two offensive

threats, Carpenter said.

Goodman scored roughy 60 goals as the Eagles went 9-11, 2-4 in the

Golden West League, last season.

Estancia returners also include seniors Matt Metkovich, who will

also enter his third varsity season, and Richard McElveny, along with

juniors C.J. Buchmann, Danny Alderete, Devon Mellin and co-captain

Scott Hulett.

Alderete is a threat at two meters, Carpenter said, while McElveny

will make the switch to starting goalkeeper, taking the place of

Nathan Marsteller, who started the last three seasons.

McElveny, primarily a field player, saw limited time in goal last

season, but made strides this summer.

“[McElveny] improved a lot,” Carpenter said. “He is quick.”

Carpenter also expects junior Brock McDonald, who played on the

junior varsity team last season, to see adequate time on varsity this

fall.

The Eagles have been holding their preseason workouts at Costa

Mesa’s pool to allow crews to make needed repairs to fiberglass

sections peeling off in Estancia’s pool.

Carpenter expected the Eagles to be back in their own pool by

Tuesday at the latest in preparation for their Sept. 14 opener

against visiting Savannah.

Carpenter hopes the Eagles can earn one of the top three places in

league, guaranteeing a CIF playoff berth. He said defending league

champion Saddleback and Costa Mesa will be tough to beat.

“We have our work cut out for us, but it is doable,” Carpenter

said. “The key is numbers. We have nine guys on varsity whom we have

to make sure stay healthy.”

If someone were injured, though, Carpenter has more options in

reserve, with another 10 players tentatively on the junior varsity

squad, an increase from last year.

Six freshmen came out for water polo this season compared to one

last fall, Carpenter said.

To get his players used to playing a variety of positions,

Carpenter has them participate in a drill he calls “while lightning”

during practice.

Each player takes shots on goal and gets chances to block balls

while in the cage.

The drill gets everyone involved and provides players the ability

to perform a range of tasks.

Carpenter said speed and cohesiveness are two of the Eagles’

strengths this season.

“They all played together last year and during the summer. They

get along so well,” said Carpenter, who noted improved shooting

technique by Kunert, Hulett, Mellin and Buchmann. “It’s amazing what

one year of maturity can do. We have options on both sides of the

pool.”