Girls water polo concludes season on high note

On Feb. 18, the girls water polo team ended their season with a 3-6 loss against King High School in the second round of  CIF Division 2 playoffs. After moving up multiple divisions from the previous year, the lady Vikings won the majority of their home games and finished the season with an overall score of 19-10 and 8-0 in league.“Last year we were division six, and this year we were division two. Considering we jumped four divisions and still did very well shows how hard our team has worked and the talent that we really have,” Shanna Stevenson (’17) said. In spite of this challenge, the team worked hard to prevail and improve upon their skills.“We went up four divisions this year, so the competition was harder this year. I believe we played more in sync and with greater passion this year,” Amalie Luneng-Solli (’17) said. “I think this season we worked very hard [and] we had a long strenuous club season, which led to the development of our skill in season.” Although it is quite an achievement in itself to make it to CIF, in previous years the team performed better in the championship. Additionally, the team learned that hard work is just as important as any other skill required during games.“Last year during CIF, we played better and better as we advanced and eventually ended up winning CIF. This year I think our nerves came over us and caused us to play worse than we usually do,” Stevenson said. “We could have advanced further in CIF but our timidness showed while we played which cost us the game. I think we learned that putting one hundred percent into every pass, shot or defensive possession is essential to winning games.” Despite the fact that Samo’s CIF performance paled in comparison to previous years, the team had many great accomplishments during the season.“Winning league, as always was the best,” coach Matthew Flanders said. “Also, being in the top 25 teams in the nation was great as well. This year we were head and shoulders above any other team in our league.” The team worked hard to achieve what they did and ultimately succeeded because of their ability to work together. “The team’s greatest strengths are our individual skills and how when we come together  we bring speed, strength and great arm shooting,” Kalen Lehmann (‘17) said. “We have learned throughout the season to believe in ourselves that we can win the game and show our skills every single game no matter if it’s a bad team or a great team.”Although the team played exceptionally well this season, the team will be losing five seniors so the unity and the fate of the team will be a new goal for the team to work towards.“Every player has contributed to the success of the team. Being that I’m a goalie, I’ve done my best to lead the girls in defense and developed a good work ethic so that I could support them in the games,” Luneng Solli said. “For next year there are a lot of seniors leaving so the younger girls need to step up and display prowess in their future games.” These younger players worked hard during the season and will hopefully lead the team to victory next season as well.“We just need to refocus in the off-season and get stronger,” Flanders said.