Oliver Gallop, graphics editor
The girls varsity water polo team has not exactly had the start to the season that it was looking for. After five seniors graduated last year and three quit the team due to various reasons, the squad was forced to recruit younger talent. Sophomores and freshmen often find playing time during games because of the lack of older players.
Co-captain Emma Gregory, a senior, still believes that even with the loss of valuable players, the team has improved and is on track to reach its goals.
“Our goals are to work together more during games and develop our offense. With lots of practice and hard work we have been able to accomplish our goals,” Gregory said.
The team, as of Tuesday, Jan. 29, has played seven league games, and has yet to win one. However, co-captain April Banayan has
hope for the team.
“We didn’t have any tournaments in pre-season so in every game there has been improvement, and every time we play a team again the score is better,” Banayan said.
Banayan said the key to winning is “getting [the newcomers] used to the plays and increasing their awareness.”
Out of the seven games played so far, wing Allison Klemes spoke most highly of the game against Marlborough on Thursday, January 24. Although the Normans lost 7-8, they showed promise throughout the first half.
“We did a lot better with our offensive plays. We’ve been working on different plays during practice and applying the skills in the games, which has helped us improve a lot,” Klemes said.
However, things changed in the second half as fatigue set in and prevented the Normans from getting their first league win of the season.
“During the second half our defense wasn’t as strong,” Klemes said, “and I was kicked out of the game because I got fouled twice for rough play and once for accidentally taking the ball when it was in [Marlborough’s] possession so I couldn’t assist any goals.”
The lack of subs during games this year has hurt the squad, and according to Gregory “conditioning is more important than ever.”
The team played Torrance on Thursday, Jan. 31, and lost 10-8 despite last minute shots and a late goal by Ivana Zelalic.
