After swimming their way to CIF playoffs, an eventful season comes to a close
Grace Gypes, Staff Writer
Although the Samo girls’ water polo team experienced highs and lows throughout this season, the team prevailed, eventually making the CIF playoffs. After initial success however, the team sadly lost their second CIF game, ending a very memorable season.
The game that brought an end to the team’s season was played on Feb. 9, against Ventura High School. Although they were coming off of a win, they lost 4-9. Samo varsity girls’ water polo player, Susan Slavonia (’22), remembers that the team’s first CIF win was not an especially strong victory for the team.
“Even though we won by so much, we played terribly. I was upset with how I played,” Slavonia said.
That game was played on Feb. 8, when they beat Segerstrom High School with a final score of 16-6. The girls were hopeful for the rest of the playoffs.
Maxine Grossman (’24), a player on junior varsity, watched the games although she did not play in the playoffs.
“We were really hopeful going into the playoffs. The varsity team had been practicing a lot, although we had an equal number of wins and losses,” Grossman said.
Almost a week prior, on Feb. 2, Samo fought hard on their senior night against Cleveland High School. The team ended the game with another swiping win, with a final score of 15-4. Captain Katie Jennings (’22) especially stood out with her aggression and determined approach. Jennings consistently swam back and forth across the pool and never let Cleveland get the best of her.
The win against Cleveland High School was refreshing after a loss against Peninsula High School on Jan. 18 which discouraged the team. The team fought hard, but lost 14-15 in the final minutes of the game against Peninsula, who are ranked No. 43 in the CIF ranking system.
On Jan. 13, Samo played Notre Dame High School. Notre Dame was ranked No. 5 in Southern California, while Santa Monica was ranked No. 63. Although the team was nervous, they did not let that stop them from producing a beautiful game winning with a final score of 13-11. Slavonia described the team’s mental state when entering their game.
“We were nervous and sore, we had played a difficult game the day before and really wanted another win. I think the game went beautifully, and I’m really proud of the whole team,” Slavonia said.
The team’s first game back from winter break was on Jan. 12 against Redondo Beach. Although Redondo is ranked No. 52, in the last minute of the game, Anneliese Hansen scored a final goal securing the teams win, ending the game 7-6.
The team had clearly worked hard over break, and their efforts paid off as they won their next three home games back to back. Captains Ava and Katie Jennings (’22).
“We were constantly overlooked and the underdogs of our league,” Katie said.
Ava agrees that this season they were heavily misjudged.
“This season has shown that hard work really pays off. We have been underestimated from the start,” Ava said.
The last game prior to winter break was on Dec. 10, when Samo played Valley View High School, ending the semester with a 17-9 win.
Slavonia credits the tournament play against Valley View as the turning point.
“We played six games in three days. We were tired, and it was during finals. But in that game, we finally found a strategy that really worked for us… I was a decoy, but the ball was actually going to Katie. After that tournament, we had a strategy, and some of the younger players started stepping up,” Slavonia said.
Sarah Linowes (’24) from the varsity team talks about the difficulty of multiple losses back to back.
“It was the winter of 2021 and the varsity girls were on a mean losing streak, we looked over at Flanders, [he] had his head in his hands, a picture of despair,” Linowes said.
Before the team’s win, they faced a series of losses. They played Millikan High School from Long Beach on Dec. 8. They ended up losing 3-15.
Entering the new month, on Dec. 1, the girls played at El Segundo High School. After a long game, Samo lost 7-18. That game came after a win against Garden Grove high school during their first season game, which they won 17-9.
Even though the team played in an unfamiliar and better league than before, their determined performance in their games resulted in a rewarding and successful season. The tournament against Valley View that turned out to be the team’s turning point shows that the team has much to look forward to for next year.
Members of the Samo varsity girls’ soccer team gather with one another after competing at their CIF playoff loss against Westlake on Feb. 12.