Girls’ water polo preview: Laguna Beach has a tough act to follow
Dominating. That is the word one could use to describe the play of the Laguna Beach girls’ water polo team during the 2013-14 season.
Last year’s team set a school record for victories in going 31-1, won the Triple Crown in girls’ water polo by winning each of the three major tournaments it entered, repeated as undefeated Orange Coast League champion, and concluded its memorable season last March by storming its way to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship.
The Breakers seem poised for more of the same in 2014-15. They return 11 players and lose just two players/starters (goalie Jenna Knott, Cara Borkovec) from that squad. The Breakers are so loaded that they again have been dubbed the No.1 team in Division 1 heading into the new season.
“We have a great group this year, all the way through our program,” Laguna Coach Ethan Damato said. “This is the biggest roster that we have ever had, and it’s filled with an extremely talented and experienced group of girls, seniors through freshmen. Many of the girls have played in multiple championship games, whether it be in high school, club or with the (USA Water Polo) national team.
“It’s a lot of fun to have so many high-level players to work with on a daily basis. We have high expectations as a group, like we do every year. I’m excited to start working toward our goals as a team.”
Laguna launches its season on Friday and hosts Rosary in a 4:15 p.m. nonleague game.
Laguna Beach Girls’ Water Polo
Head coach: Ethan Damato (7th year)
Coaching staff: Trevor Lye, Nathan McConnell, Chris Stansbury (strength coach).
League: Orange Coast
CIF Division: Division 1
Last year’s overall record: 31-1
Last year’s league finish: 4-0 (champion)
2014 CIF playoffs: Won Division 1 championship
Returning varsity players: Holly Parker (goalie, Soph.); Makenzie Fischer (utility, Sr.); Bella Baldridge (attacker, Soph.); Haley Evans (ATT, Soph.); Mia Salvini (UTL, Jr.); Aria Fischer (UTL, Soph.); Taylor Julson (defender, Sr.); Natalie Selin (ATT, Jr.); Brighid Burnes (ATT, Sr.); Ally Jochim (DEF, Jr.); Daniela Lucidi (ATT, Sr.).
Returning with honors: Makenzie Fischer (league MVP, first-team All-CIF); Holly Parker (first-team all-league, second-team All-CIF); Aria Fischer (first-team all-league, first-team All-CIF); Bella Baldridge (first-team all-league. second-team All-CIF); Haley Evans (first-team all-league, third-team All-CIF); Mia Salvini (second-team all-league, third-team All-CIF); Taylor Julson (second-team all-league); Natalie Selin (second-team all-league).
Varsity newcomers: Evan Tingler (DEF, Fr.); Thea Walsh (G, Fr.); Sopia Lucas (ATT, Fr.).
Season keys: “I think it’s important for us to stay hungry and to stay humble,” Damato said. “If we are a team that works hard to improve each day, it will be scary to see how good we can be. I think we have a long way to go as a team to be as good as we are capable of being.”
The schedule: The Breakers have scheduled nonleague games against five teams (Foothill, Newport Harbor, San Marcos, Orange Lutheran, Dos Pueblos) that enter the season with a top 10 ranking in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 poll, two (Los Osos, El Toro) in the Division 2 top 10, and one (ML King) in Division 3.
“We play a very tough nonleague schedule this season,” Damato said. “We are playing in the Holiday Cup, Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions and the SoCal Championships. In my opinion. these are the premiere events for the girls’ season. It should be a very exciting season.”
CIF preseason Division 1 rankings: 1. Laguna Beach; 2. Foothill; 3. Corona del Mar; 4. Newport Harbor; 5. San Marcos; 6. Los Alamitos; 7. Orange Lutheran; 8. Dos Pueblos; 9. Santa Barbara; 10. Santa Margarita. Others: Edison, Beckman.
2014-15 Schedule
Friday: Rosary, 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday: Edison, 4:15 p.m.
Dec. 16: ML King, 4:15 p.m.
Dec. 20: at Orange Lutheran, 1 p.m.
Dec. 23: Newport Harbor, 4 p.m.
Jan. 2-3: Newport Harbor Holiday Cup
Jan. 8: at Foothill, 4:15 p.m.
Jan. 14: *at Costa Mesa, 3:15 p.m.
Jan. 15: at Dos Pueblos, 7 p.m.
Jan. 15-17: Santa Barbara Tournament
Jan. 21: *Saddleback, 3:15 p.m.
Jan. 28: *at Estancia, 3:15 p.m.
Jan. 30: San Marcos, 5 p.m.
Jan. 31: Los Osos, 1 p.m.
Feb. 5-7: SoCal Championships
Feb. 11: *Godinez, 3:15 p.m.
Feb. 12: El Toro, 4:15 p.m.
(*denotes league game)
Twitter: @MikeSciacca