![Members of Girls water polo work together on a pumpkin carving activity during their annual Halloween practice, combining team bonding with seasonal fun. “The teams are made up of a mix of varsity and [junior varsity] players, so you learn to work with each other regardless of skill level,” varsity captain and senior Alexis Minasyan said. “Because you’re relying on each other more, you end up knowing each other better and working better together in the water during games.”](https://portolapilot.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_6967-1-1200x776.jpg)
Girls water polo held their annual Halloween practice at Portola High’s pool deck on Oct. 31, 2025. Filled with a variety of Halloween–themed activities, the event encouraged both fun and friendly competition before the official start of the season.
Head Coach Veronica Heidke brought the idea to Portola High after remembering how much she enjoyed similar practices as a student athlete at Irvine High. The event quickly became a team favorite, now serving as the unofficial kickoff to the season. Each year, the seniors plan the entire event, from choosing a theme, organizing activities and surprising the rest of the team with the schedule.
“When I was in high school, we did a Halloween practice every year, and I remember it being fun,” Heidke said. “When I took over the team [at Portola High], I wanted to create something that could be a yearly event. It’s turned into something the girls talk about every season — a memory and the perfect kickoff.”
Varsity player and sophomore Katelyn Vu said that the Halloween practice is a welcome break from the team’s regular early-morning practices and intense conditioning sessions, since the Halloween practice replaces their regular workout for the day. She added that the Halloween practice brings the team closer together and mentally prepares them for what’s to come. The activities are designed to mix both varsity and JV players, encouraging collaboration across different skill levels, according to Vu
“Last year, we got split into groups with different themes – [my group] were the minions,” Vu said. “We dressed up in colored sunscreen and played games to see which group would win. It’s more like a party than a regular practice. We just get to hang out, eat food, and have fun while still bonding as a team.”
Varsity captain and senior Alexis Minasyan said that the Halloween practice symbolizes the transition from preseason to the start of the competitive schedule. The team trains every morning from 6 to 8 a.m., which can be both exhausting and rewarding, according to Minasyan. The Halloween practice is a chance for players to recognize team improvement, giving them the motivation to propel the energy into the official season, according to Minasyan.
“The Halloween practice is a reminder of why we love playing together,” Minasyan said. “It brings everyone together and makes those early mornings feel worth it.”
