During the crucial semi-final game against the Los Altos Conquerors, Junior Gabriella Sicat splashed into the water and attacked the rival team, enabling her teammate to snatch the ball from an opponent. Within moments, the Lady Rams harvested another goal.
As a member of the Girls Varsity Water Polo team since freshman year, Sicat is a versatile attacker and utility player. This season, she had 80 goals, 45 assists and 34 steals.
With a strong performance, Sicat was named the Rio Hondo League MVP of Girls Water Polo.
“When I first started playing Water Polo at the age of eight with my older brothers, it was an activity in which we could release our energy,” Sicat said. “Now I enjoy the physicality of the sport as well as the combination of strategy and competition.”
Before being named the MVP, Sicat had to overcome an injury. During the middle of the season, Sicat experienced a severe car accident in January. She suffered from multiple lacerations across her face and received over 40 stitches. This injury disrupted her normal school schedule as well as her team’s game lineups.
Consequently, she went on to miss three league games. Nevertheless, Sicat got back to school after two weeks of recovery, and returned to the water in the subsequent week.
“I was glad to return to school because I just needed to get back to work,” Sicat said. “So much had happened and it felt good to be back in the classroom with my peers that were ready to learn.”
Over the years, Sicat established firm bonds with all her teammates. Though it’s a challenge for the Lady Rams to adapt to their positions, the special chemistry among the team members became key to winning numerous games.
“Gabi brought us motivation and positivity,” Senior Katrina Chang said. “Win or lose, she always has a smile on her face, telling us everything is okay and that we will work even harder next time.”
In water polo, an attacker needs to be quick in movement and smart in strategies. Knowing that her average height isn’t advantageous compared to taller players, Sicat strives to find different ways to compete at a higher level. Days of practice and years of game experience helped Sicat acquire faster reactions, as well as better instinct and anticipation.
“The goal is to be great or die trying,” Sicat said. “Life hits hard sometimes and situations don’t go as planned, but they offer me a chance to improve and make myself better.”
Sicat was also named the Player of the Year in the Pasadena Region along with the Temple City High School Girls Water Polo MVP.
As a fourth year player, Sicat hopes to lead the team to another playoff run next year.
TCHS School Newspaper