![Attacker and senior August Tonkovich prepares to score against Northwood High. “Everyone supported me but I [had] to break the record," said Tonkovich.](https://portolapilot.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG_5867-1200x801.jpg)
Boys water polo (3-2) won 12-7 against Northwood High during their Senior Night match on Oct. 14. As the season winds down, the Bulldogs have their CIF-qualifier tournament beginning Oct. 20 to conclude the season.
The Bulldogs started the game by scoring the first point and continuing with an offensive push against the Timberwolves. With an aggressive defense, the Bulldogs maintained constant possession of the ball, while the Timberwolves struggled to score. Ultimately, the Bulldogs took the lead with a score of 3-1 at the end of the first quarter.
“It took us a little bit longer to set up our defensive systems,” head boys water polo coach Kate Avery said. “When they run their defense together, the way that’s supposed to be run, it is a very hard defense to beat.”
Attacker and senior August Tonkovich recently broke a record on the team, closing out his senior year with the most goals scored throughout the entirety of his water polo career at Portola High. Wide receiver and junior Elliot LeBlond said that he gets inspiration from Tonkovich for his discipline and energy.
“It was a really big, monumental game [during which] he just broke the all-season scoring record,” LeBlond said. “August has motivated me to play this sport, and I wouldn’t be here today without him.”
Following the fast-paced first half of the game, the Bulldogs reached a stalemate during the third quarter. The Bulldogs struggled with constant turnovers and missed shots for a period of about three and a half minutes, according to Avery.
“We were struggling to make proper adjustments to one of the referees’ calls,” Avery said. “That was impacting how our offense was landing and whether or not we were getting the right calls or getting good shots off.”
Despite the flat third quarter, the Bulldogs persisted through the final quarter, managing to score six points. The constant pressure and teamwork by the Bulldogs secured their victory over the Timberwolves 12-7, according to Avery.
“Even though it feels like our season’s winding down, the job’s not finished,” Avery said. “We still have to put in the work and keep grinding out till we achieve our goals.”
