Baldoni helps U.S. junior water polo team win title

BRISBANE, Australia — Corona del Mar High incoming senior Kate Baldoni made 11 saves, helping the USA Women’s Junior National water polo team to a 10-8 win over Australia ’90 in the championship game of the “Born in ‘90” Global Championships on July 6.

Baldoni was named Most Outstanding Goalkeeper of the tournament. The Junior National team ran off seven straight wins after an opening-day loss.

Baldoni, named the Daily Pilot Dream Team Co-Player of the Year after helping CdM to the CIF Southern Section Division I title game last February, also made 15 saves in a 10-5 semifinal victory over Australia ’91.

She has also been playing for the Junior National team in the “Born in ‘88” Global Championships this week at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos. Baldoni had 10 saves as USA ’91 lost to Australia, 13-4, on Sunday.

Baldoni is one of three goalies on the USA roster, along with Sami Hill of Santa Barbara and Ruth Milne of Stanford Club.

— From staff reports