Greenies find early success
Boys’ water polo crushed Hoover High School 16-11 on Sept. 22. As they continue to play their way toward league games, the team is hopeful for the title of this year’s League Champions.“Last year we had better cohesiveness, but this year we’re having more fun. I think we’re positioning ourselves well for our league drive, which starts in October,” coach Matthew Flanders said. “We could have won those games, but we were having problems with over-aggressive players.”After every shot, the Drake Pool was overwhelmed by a never-ending chorus of screaming teenage girls, whose chants would resonate throughout every time out, break, shot or block. The spectators who crowded the stands looked even more eager than the players.“People should be excited for our season,” nationally ranked captain Marc Vonderweidt said.In the first five minutes of the first quarter of the game against Hoover, Samo was ahead 4-1. The lead increased after senior Maxi Vilim-Brozyna scored. The crowd’s celebration was stifled by the Hoover coach, as he exploded in rage, shouting insults and demeaning comments at his players from the sideline, frustrated by numerous Samo shots, blocks and steals.Later in the second quarter, Vonderweidt, Vilim-Brozyna and junior Charlie Olsen each scored. The period ended with Samo ahead 10-6.The game was passing by quickly, the yellow ball becoming a blur as it was passed swiftly between players.“I’m digging everyone on the team, we’re a good group of guys,” Vonderweidt said of his teammates. “We play well together.”After a series of passes back and forth, senior Zack Gold scored, with another point from Olsen soon to follow. Gold scored again with a backwards shot, keeping Samo up at a steady 13-6 lead. Vonderweidt’s buzzer shot finished the quarter, 14-6.“This year we have more of a sense of leadership. We’re going to win league. We just have to keep working and staying consistent,” Vilim-Brozyna said of his team after the victory. “The under-classmen just have to step it up and keep playing.”Nadine MelamedStaff Writer