Boys’ water polo (5-6) won 14-13 at its home match at the pool on Sept. 17 against El Segundo High. Despite facing a two-point deficit in the first two quarters, the Bulldogs quickly closed the gap, taking the lead in a third-quarter surge. The Bulldogs’ next game will be an away league match against Sage Hill High on Oct. 8.
Center player and senior Gregory Bank had a break-out performance, netting three goals that swung the momentum in the Bulldogs’ favor, according to head boys’ water polo coach Kate Avery. Attacker and freshman Cal Ulicny drew three exclusion fouls from the Eagles. Additionally, Attacker and junior August Tonkovich had four steals that broke the tie in the third quarter.
“This was a great game for our role players,” Avery said. “We play better as a team when we’re not just relying on one or two guys to get the job done. This win was really a team effort on the offensive and defensive end.”
The Bulldogs’ strategic shift to a more aggressive defense in the second quarter allowed for more offensive opportunities that led to a battle for control until the final whistle, according to Avery. Both teams traded goals and crucial defensive stops until the Bulldogs’ strategy began taking effect in the third quarter, which ended with a score of 9-8. For Ulicny, this energy and exchange is fueled by the teams’ attunement to each other’s strengths, enhancing individual performances.
“When your teammates score, you feel pumped up for them,” Ulicny said. “And then when you score, they feel pumped up for you, and you’re constantly just having team chemistry with each other.”
This victory for the Bulldogs was hard-won, as the Eagles had defeated several teams the Bulldogs had lost to previously. In preparation for this matchup, the Bulldogs implemented a new pre-game routine, according to Avery.
“Some need to be alone and plug into their music so they can focus; some need to be more social and talk with each other; a few likely need a distraction and just end up playing Brawl Stars on their phones,” Avery said. “Whatever they do, they have 10 minutes. Then, we come back as a team and get ready for the game. It’s a new practice, but it seems to be working.”
With a new team roster this year, the Bulldogs face a new wave of opportunities, allowing them to redefine both tactical strategies and forge a cohesive team dynamic that will serve as their foundation throughout the rest of the season.
“We graduated three of our starters last year, so that was kind of hard, but we’re getting back into it,” center guard, center player and senior Luke Porter said. “Everyone’s getting used to working with each other, which is really cool. We’ve lost a few games, but we’ve also won a few games. We’re all learning and everyone’s growing as players.”
