Girls Water Polo Swims Toward the Finish Line With an End-of-Season Win

Alice Ahn and Kelly Yeh

Utility player and sophomore Kennedy Guenard blocks a shot from the Trojans. “We were learning throughout the game,” utility player and senior Emma Saighani-Mirbaz said. “We picked out how they played, and we did really good on focusing on just how to make sure we defend ourselves against them.”

Girls water polo (10-11) won 11-4 against University High on Jan. 20. Their last game was against University High on Jan. 28 at Northwood High.

The game started off with strong defensive efforts from the Bulldogs, with goalie and sophomore Lily Sipes blocking two attempted goals from the Trojans, though the Trojans eventually scored. The quarter was largely a stalemate, but with a minute and a half remaining, the Trojans added another goal. Just 30 seconds later, utility player and senior Emma Saighani-Mirbaz responded with a score, ending the quarter at 2–1.

“One thing that was different from [past] games was that we started off really strong,” utility player and junior Sophie Lai said. “In previous years, we would start off not as confident, and it would kind of hinder success because our team morale would be lower. But in this game, we started off really strong and were ahead in the first quarter, which really helped our team build confidence.”

Just a minute into the second quarter, Saighani-Mirbaz scored again to tie the game at 2-2. The Trojans responded with two consecutive shot attempts, both of which were blocked by Sipes. With under a minute remaining in the second quarter, the Bulldogs scored to extend their lead to 4-2.

“I think this was one of my best games,” Saighani-Mirbaz said. “I scored four or five goals because I was able to get goalside, which is when I’m able to get a pass with my teammates. And since I’m right by the goal, I have the best shot.”

Following halftime, both teams scored goals to open the quarter. However, the Bulldogs fought to maintain their lead and finished the third quarter up 10–4 after a goal from attacker and sophomore Elinor Campbell. In the final quarter, Lai scored the last goal with four minutes remaining, ending the game at 11–4.

“The season has been interesting in the fact that we’ve had a lot of injuries and a lot of players missing,” head coach Veronica Heidke said. “We’ve only played with our full roster maybe twice, which has been really difficult. But throughout the season, our offense has picked up a lot, and we have completely changed the way that we play. The team has truly leveled up their water polo [skills].”

In addition to their preseason goal of developing a stronger offense, the team hopes to improve its defense in future seasons.

“We could be a little bit more aggressive,” Lai said. “A lot of us are timid, and because we’re all really close friends, we’re scared to be aggressive toward each other. That stops our defense from being really strong when we’re playing against other teams.”

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About the Contributors

Alice Ahn, Editor-in-Chief

Alice Ahn is an Editor-in-Chief for her third and final year on the Portola Pilot. Beyond proofreading her writing an unhealthy number of times, Alice frequents novels with entrancing titles but mediocre plots — and conversely, movies with plain titles that destroy you. She is equally excited and sentimental about her senior year, and will miss this forever.

Kelly Yeh, Arts and Entertainment Editor

Kelly Yeh is the Arts and Entertainment Editor for her third and final year on the Portola Pilot. Outside the newsroom, Kelly can be found perfecting her daily matcha latte, cafe hopping, splurging on concerts, binging TV shows or harassing her dog, Teddy. She is excited to make the most of her senior year and cherish every last moment with Pilot.