Newport speeds ahead

Bryce Alderton

The Newport Harbor High girls water polo team finished ahead of

everyone to win the CIF Southern Section Division I championship a

year ago and, according to Coach Bill Barnett, the Sailors figure to,

literally, speed past foes again this year.

Barnett acknowledged that this year’s team is equally, if not,

faster than last year’s squad that claimed the program’s second

section crown -- the Sailors also won the Division I title in 1999.

“We have a lot of speed, so we are going to try to attack a lot

and drive,” said Barnett, who enters his 39th season coaching at

Newport.

Senior Anne Belden, who enters her fourth varsity season and has

already committed to UCLA, will be Newport’s primary driver. Belden

scored 71 goals to go with 42 assists and 62 steals last season and

earned first-team All-CIF recognition.

The Sailors lost 11 to graduation from last year’s squad,

including Jessica Ball, the Division I Co-Player of the Year, along

with first-team All-CIF honoree Carolyn Conway. Ball and Conway, both

two-meter standouts, will continue their playing careers at the

University of Michigan and Indiana University, respectively.

Conway led the Sailors with 87 goals while Ball finished with team

highs in steals (65) and assists (47).

“Our biggest replacement will be at two meters,” Barnett said.

“Carolyn is a hard person to replace.”

Senior Ashling Taylor and junior Leah Robertson will get that

chance this season.

Taylor scored 30 goals while adding 18 assists and 29 steals in

earning second-team All-CIF recognition last season.

“[Both Taylor and Robertson] have worked hard [in the off-season].

They will do a good job,” Barnett said.

Senior Melissa Wheeler returns to help anchor the defense with

help from senior Laurel Laidlaw. Junior Kally Lucas will be another

attacker.

Barnett said senior Kendal Nelson and junior Elizabeth Layton will

split time as goalkeeper until “someone steps up.”

“[Nelson and Layton] seem to be even, they will probably split

time like [Kim Housepian and Terin Cottam] did last year,” Barnett

said.

Barnett also expects senior left-hander Amanda Barto to earn much

playing time while seniors Bryndis Klein, Jessie Womble and Katie

Roberts, along with juniors Calli Manderino and Katie Kepner, all

provide scoring threats.

Barnett said the Sailors spent the preseason focusing on three

things: fundamentals, conditioning and cohesiveness, in preparation

for their opener against visiting Esperanza, a 15-1 victory, Tuesday.

The Sailors’ nonleague schedule also features single-date games

against Coronado, Montebello, El Dorado, El Toro and Back Bay rival

Corona del Mar. Newport will also play in the Holiday Cup and the

Santa Barbara tournament before beginning Sea View League play at

Foothill Jan. 12. The Sailors, like the Knights of a year ago, will

carry targets on their backs this season. Newport ended the Knights’

49-game winning streak before downing them in the CIF final last

season.

“We are the target, but that is the way it should be,” Barnett

said. “Everyone is out to get us and the girls understand that. There

are no easy games.”