Corona del Mar movin’ on up

CORONA DEL MAR — “Tomorrow don’t come to play, come to kill.”

The text message was quickly sent out to all of the Corona del Mar High girls’ water polo players whom did not stay long to enough to hear the good news following the Sea Kings’ 7-3 victory Friday in the quarterfinal of the Irvine Southern California Championships.

Corona del Mar, the No. 3-ranked team in CIF Southern Section Division I, will face Agoura, the No. 2 ranked team in Division II, which defeated Newport Harbor, 9-6, in the quarterfinal, in a semifinal today at 11 a.m. at Irvine High.

The Sea Kings lost their third game of the season at Agoura, 10-7, in what is widely thought by the team to be its worst performance of the season.

“I’m so excited; that was our worst game ever,” said senior Haley Prickett as she huddled with senior Katie Indvik, sophomore Heather Van Hiel and senior Cari Levine to send text messages informing the remainder of the team. “We were so upset. They better know how badly we want to beat them. If they don’t, they’ll know tomorrow. It’s redemption time.”

Corona del Mar Coach Aaron Chaney said there were a couple of factors leading to the Sea Kings’ early season defeat at the hands of Agoura. On the drive up, the team stopped off in Westwood for some lunch, which may have had an effect on focus, Chaney said. The Agoura pool is also smaller than the Sea Kings’ 25 yards instead of 25 meters.

There was also the last time the two teams met, in the quarterfinals of the 2006 Irvine Southern California Championships, where the Sea Kings blazed to 10-0 lead before cruising to a 16-10 victory.

“They had a little revenge in mind. We beat them pretty bad,” Chaney said. “They were a good team last year and they’re a good team this year. Now we have to return the favor.”

While the Sea Kings lost out on an opportunity to face their Back Bay rival, the teams have split their two meetings this season, playing Agoura will make for a high intensity game.

“Out of everybody we faced this season we want to play them the most,” Indvik said. “We have a lot to prove. We weren’t mentally prepared. We lost it in the beginning.”

Against Agoura the Sea Kings fell down 9-4 entering the fourth quarter. But now, especially since losing to Montebello 6-5 Sunday after trailing 3-1, Corona del Mar has a renewed focus on starting games strong.

Huddling in the pool before the game, the Sea Kings shouted about bringing intensity from the beginning. After one quarter against Whittier, the No. 1-ranked team in Division III, the Sea Kings led 2-0 with the Cardinals only able to get off a couple of long-range lob shots.

“Games in the past we’ve started out slow,” said Van Hiel, who had two goals. “We came out really hard against a good team.”

Dominant throughout on defense, the Sea Kings also demonstrated all facets of their offensive weaponry. With a six-on-five advantage two minutes into the game, Van Hiel whipped a pass to Indvik who fired it to Sarah Hutchison who, without hesitation, launched into the goal for a 1-0 lead. The ball did not touch the water until it was in the back of the net.

“That was good,” Chaney said. “It makes me feel good. You feel like things you are doing in practice are working. I just want to see them happy.”

The joy continued three minutes later when, as the shot clock went off, Van Hiel scored from 10 meters out to give Corona del Mar a 2-0 lead.

The Sea Kings defense held firm as Indvik and Levine helped hold Whittier’s two-meter player Mary Ann Campos to two goals. Kate Murphy made four saves.

“It’s hard to pick people out because everybody played well,” Chaney said. “We did a nice job of crashing down on defense. We were patient on offense. We were not forcing it in.”

Chaney said the team is confident with its chances today.

“We’re better mentally prepared for games,” he said. “Just being mentally prepared from the first whistle. That’s one of the things we’re working on.”

Irvine Southern California Championships

Quarterfinal

Corona del Mar 7, Whittier 3

Whittier -- Campos 2, Rangel 1. Saves -- Sovick 4.

Corona del Mar -- Van Hiel 2, Peotter 1, Livingston 2, Hutchison 1, Pricket 1. Saves -- Murphy 4.