Morgan, Schilling commit for polo
Two Back Bay girls’ water polo players have verbally committed to colleges, and each is staying in California.
Corona del Mar High senior Grace Morgan has committed to Cal, while Newport Harbor High senior Chanel Schilling has committed to UC San Diego, they confirmed Wednesday.
Morgan was a second-team Pacific Coast League selection last year for the Sea Kings, and projects as a key senior starter this year. She scored two big goals in overtime in CdM’s sudden-death overtime loss to Santa Barbara in last year’s CIF Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals. More recently, she helped the CdM Aquatics 18-and-under girls’ team win gold at the Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival in New Zealand in July, scoring four goals in the title match.
“I am really looking forward to attending Cal Berkeley because they offer a combination of great academics as well as a very competitive water polo program,” Morgan said Wednesday in a Twitter direct message. “I am also excited to play with CdM alumni Pippa Saunders and Gen Weed again. The CdM water polo program has helped me develop as a player and prepare me to play at the next level.”
Morgan said she plans to study business at Cal. The Golden Bears women’s water polo team advanced to the NCAA Championship semifinals last year and was ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation.
Schilling came on strong last year in the playoffs for Newport Harbor, helping the Sailors reach the Division 1 title match for the third straight year. This year, she is expected to be the starting center in Coach Bill Barnett’s last year at the helm.
“I wanted to stay by the beach, and I think I’ll get playing time there,” Schilling said of committing to UC San Diego.
Last year, the Tritons finished eighth at the NCAA Championship and finished 27-13, setting a program record for wins in the NCAA era.
Schilling said she wants to be a psychiatrist, and UC San Diego has a good psychology program.
Schilling’s older sister, Elissia, currently plays for UCLA.
— Matt Szabo