Dedicated Eagles set sights high

Bryce Alderton

The Estancia High girls water polo team did something this summer it

had never done before: Compete in a summer league.

Bob Bandaruk, in his fourth year guiding the program, said there

was enough interest among his players for the extra games and the

schedule allowed for more than a handful of contests.

Bandaruk estimates the Eagles won two of roughly eight games, but

a more telling sign lies in the dedication he sees from more and more

of his players.

“All of them are tough,” Bandaruk said. “We gained strength and

experience with the summer league.”

Bandaruk is hoping that experience translates into a CIF Southern

Section Division VI playoff berth.

The Eagles went 11-8 a year ago and return five off that squad,

including Courtney Hess, one of three seniors and the second-leading

scorer from last season’s unit.

Hess, a three-year varsity member, tallied 36 goals, only a

handful less than Marilyn Reich, who graduated in June and is now

competing with Orange Coast College’s crew team.

Sophomore Melissa Buchmann, who plays on for a Huntington Beach

club team, returns at two meters alongside juniors Chelsea Kaplan and

Carolina Barnes.

Other Eagles’ scoring threats include junior Andrea Bray, seniors

Amaryah Thaler and Jessica Kasper, along with freshman Meagan Kunert.

Junior goalkeeper Katie Mahan returns to anchor the defense.

One of the pluses of this year’s team is balance, Banadruk said.

“We don’t have just two people to rely on,” Bandaruk said. “I feel

strong with any of them taking a shot. I feel good with any of them

guarding the set if necessary.”

Bandaruk has good reason for optimism since five of his players

participate on club teams.

Bray, Kaplan, Barnes and Mahan joined the Golden West Water Polo

Club to refine their skills.

Barnes, Kaplan and Mahan all enter their third varsity seasons.

“We just continually get better,” Bandaruk said. “We are better

this year than we were last year.

“Making the CIF playoffs is our goal.”