Friends and family gave the graduating seniors of the Varsity Girls Water Polo team a standing ovation as they climbed out of their home pool for the final time in their careers after a 15-7 against La Cañada on Feb. 11.
“Water polo has truly impacted me as a person,” Senior Haley Osborn said. “It has helped me meet new people, understand time management and work hard to achieve my goals. Water polo has made me who I am today.”
The team had a fresh start this season with a new head coach, Oscar Dorado. Dorado has been working with the team to build strong fundamentals that help them be successful in the pool. The girls currently hold a 6-1 Rio Hondo League record.
“Coach Oscar is our backbone and supports every single one of us,” Senior Cristina Guevara said. “He knows our weaknesses and turns them into our strengths. We are more than just a team, we are a family.”
One of the biggest obstacles that the Lady Rams had to encounter this season are the South Pasadena Tigers. The Lady Tigers are ranked number one in the C.I.F. Division IV and South Pasadena Senior Devin Grab has been one of the main reasons for their success. Grab is a member of the Women’s Junior National Team and has committed to play water polo at UCLA next season.
“I believe that we can win a league championship and make it past the first round in the playoffs this season,” Sophomore Katrina Chang said. “I think we can beat South Pasadena. The score was really close the first time we played them and I think we can win next time.”
Another challenge that the Lady Rams have had to face this season is the inexperience of the roster. With five underclassmen on the roster, it has been hard for the Rams to keep up with other veteran teams in the league. Many of the younger players have had their difficulties meshing with the unit, but despite these limitations, the Lady Rams have been able to play well together and be recognized as one of the top teams in the league.
“Outside the pool we have our differences, but the moment we jump in, we are a unit,” Freshman Gabriella Sicat said. “In the water, we put all differences aside and we just play.”
The Lady Rams have put countless hours of hard work and effort into this season. They have been practicing for three hours a day and are glad that their time has been turning into wins.
The Lady Rams have dominated most of the other teams in the Rio Hondo league this season, scoring 66 goals against league opponents and limiting their opponents to just 46.
Regardless of the results of this season, it is safe to say that the Lady Rams are headed in the right direction. The underclassmen have been gaining experience and developing skills by competing on the varsity level, a benefit that many other teams do not have.