Girls' water polo suits up to make a splash
After a long offseason of training, the girls’ water polo team is beginning their 2019-20 water polo season. During the offseason, the athletes have worked on their game and are now ready to put their skills to the test against their Ocean League competition, hoping to advance in CIF playoffs this year like they did in their last season.The girls started their season on Nov. 12 and are training consistently. They they wake up at 5:45 a.m. twice a week to train in the weightroom on campus. Additionally, every afternoon, the team gets in the pool for two hours to focus on their swimming skills and ball control. Head Coach Matthew Flanders is specifically looking to improve the team’s overall in-game stamina for the season. “We are looking to improve overall fitness and strength,” Flanders said. Team captain Emma Guerrini Romano (’20) believes the goals she has for herself and the team for this season are unwavering. “As a team, we always have the same goal. The goal is to win [Ocean] league and advance in CIF [playoffs]. This year, both goals are very achievable. Our team consists of very strong and fast swimmers, which gives us an advantage,” Guerrini Romano said. In recent years, Samo’s main competition in league has been El Segundo. This year, the girls are ready to go against El Segundo’s athletic skills in the water. Nayeli Barbosa (’21) has been in the water polo program since freshman year, and believes that her and her teammates can overcome their challenges they have faced with El Segundo before. “El Segundo’s water polo team has fast shooting and fast swimming. But this year, we are going into the season with excellent swimming and consistent training in the weightroom to improve our swimming,” Barbosa said. The girls had their first two home games on Nov. 19 and Nov. 20 against Palos Verdes and University High School respectively, with the Vikings winning both. The Palos Verdes was a close 10-8 win, but the girls had an easy match against University, winning with a score of 21-0. Their next home game is Dec. 3 against Garden Grove High School at the Drake Pool.