By: Elise Hyde
Water polo pre season games and summer practices were very successful and a good time for the team to reflect, improve, and to grow. It was a chance for players to get stronger and to start off right before their real season starts.
The girls Varsity water polo team had a lot of new people in the program, and they were able to get in a lot of training as well as more time to work together.
The pre season games have gone really well for Redwood Varsity. They beat Porterville, Monache, and Memorial.
They have been very successful in the past years at Redwood, and the girls continue to thrive at what they do best; winning games.
Jada Griffith, 20’, says that, “ I believe that we have a fair shot at Valley. The competition is going to be very tough, especially since we moved up to Division 1, but I know if the team puts our hearts and minds to it, we can do anything!”
Along with Griffith, Sylar Ford, 20’, quotes, “ Since we are in Division 1, there will be some good competition, but I think we will be one of the top teams. We are going to have to work hard to earn our spot in the playoffs.”
Ford and Griffith believe in their team and their potential to go far in their season.
Alex Salazar, 20’, quotes, “If we keep up our hard work at practice and keep good mindsets, we will go very far in Division 1 playoffs.”
Salazar, Ford, and Griffith are very excited for the season to start and can’t wait to see how they can improve their game, and to hopefully have the opportunity to play in Valley.
Similarly, the Varsity boys water polo team also had great pre season. Summer practices were a lot of fun and a ton of work because this year is considered a rebuilding year.
Since the boys lost a lot of strong players their summer was dedicated to coming together as a team, and learning and growing as a team as well as individually. This is also a chance for young talented boys to shine as well.
The Varsity boys had a fun time at the Arroyo Grande tournament. They went 2-2 for games, and improved a lot from the start of the tournament compared to the end.
Nathan Thompson 20’ says that, “Summer practices helped the boys to develop as a team, and I have hopes of going far in playoffs.”
Along with Thompson, Beau Gendron 22’ quotes, “ Since it is a rebuilding year at Redwood, it will be hard to make it to Valley, but we still do have a chance. We have so many young and talented players and depending on how much we grow this season, our team can be very good.”
Gendron and Thompson have high hopes and can’t wait till the season starts. They are willing and with the rest of their team to work hard in order to grow and have a successful season.
Both the girls and boys Varsity water polo teams have gotten closer as a team, resulting in the ability to work better together in the water. With all of their hard work over summer the boys and girls had a chance to improve on their individual skills.
They had a chance to reflect on what they have been working on as well as what they need to improve on as individuals and as a team in order to succeed in WYL and play offs.
The Varsity girls and boys water polo teams can be described in 5 words: strong, family, determined, motivated, and ambitious.
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