San Ramon Valley High School Water Polo Boys Season Preview

As the upcoming water polo season at San Ramon Valley High School approaches, there is a buzz of excitement among players, coaches, and fans. With a strong team returning from last year and a talented group of new players, the Wolves have their sights set on a return to the North Coast Section (NCS) Open Division playoffs. Coach Tony Tovani, now in his fourth year at the helm of the program, is optimistic about the team's potential this season. When asked about the top returning players from last year, Tovani didn't hesitate to name a few standouts. Leading the pack is senior defender Donovan Swann, whom Tovani praises for his high water polo IQ. Swann's knowledge of the game and ability to read opponents make him an invaluable asset to the team. On the attacking end, senior Dan Drozdowicz is being looked to as a natural leader for the team. Beyond his skills in the pool, Tovani notes that Drozdowicz has a special ability to bring the team together and lead by example. Two more names mentioned as top returners are junior attacker Evan Libetore and junior attacker Julius Martell. Tovani describes Libetore as a "Swiss army knife", meaning he has multiple skills and can excel in various positions. Martell, on the other hand, is known for his speed and impressive outside shot. But it's not just the returning players who have Tovani excited for the season. When discussing new players who could make an immediate impact, he mentioned four names. Junior attacker Evan Libetore and junior attacker Julius Martell were both highlighted once again for their talents and potential on the team. However, Tovani also noted that senior defender Donovan Swann and senior attacker Dan Drozdowicz are being looked to as leaders on and off the field. In regards to potential team captains, Coach Tovani shared that the team's goal is to have a representative from each grade level. This year, a sophomore goalie, Ronan Bugbee, has caught Tovani's eye. Despite being new to the varsity level, Tovani has high expectations for Bugbee and believes he has the qualities to be a strong team captain. When discussing team chemistry and camaraderie, Tovani's philosophy is simple: let the players choose their captains.