El Segundo High School Water Polo Season Preview

The El Segundo High School water polo team is gearing up for a challenging and exciting season under the guidance of head coach Nila Ward. After an undefeated CIF championship season, the team is faced with a new league and a new power ranking system to prove themselves against. As Coach Ward says, "Our goal, as always is to win league and CIF, which will be an exciting challenge for this group." One of the key strengths for the team this season will be the returning players. Junior center Tristan Foster, the team's returning player of the year, is a dominant force on offense with a high-scoring drive and strong work ethic. He will be supported by sophomore center Austin Miller, who has shown significant improvement through his club season and is eager to step up his game. Senior goalie Stefan Lazarevic has been a presence on the varsity team since his freshman year and is now ready to take on the starting role. The team also has a strong group of attackers Carter Williamson, Vinny Baldino, Hayden Abbott, and Sutton Fisk, all of whom bring leadership and experience to the team. In addition, Coach Ward is excited about the potential of lefty junior Cooper Albano, who played a pivotal role in last year's CIF run. With such a talented and dedicated group of returning players, the team is already off to a strong start. As for new players, the team is looking for incoming freshmen with experience at the club level to make an immediate impact. Coach Ward emphasizes the importance of team chemistry and camaraderie in creating a successful team, and the coaches are looking forward to seeing who will step up and earn their spot on the varsity squad. When it comes to team captains, Coach Ward looks for players who are well-respected by their teammates and exhibit leadership qualities on and off the water. While the official captains won't be announced until after preseason training, the team is already showing strong signs of leadership and team unity. In terms of the mental aspect of the game, Coach Ward stresses the importance of controlling emotions and having a strong mindset. She also notes that communication is crucial for the team's success. Along with traditional team dinners and activities, the team focuses on creating a culture of brotherhood and discussing what it means to be a good teammate and have a positive attitude. One of the biggest challenges in preparing for this season has been the transition to a tougher league with more competitive teams.