Monday, Aug. 30, 2010

Girls water polo: Tiger girls determined to be successful in new league

Unknowns don't bother league champs

On the junior varsity side of girls water polo at Los Banos High, the Tigers are almost completely starting over, with just two sophomores returning from last year's squad that went 16-1.

"It's going to be a rebuilding year. We have two sophomores and the rest are freshmen," Wallace said. "There's lots of new blood, and I expect we'll struggle in the beginning. But I see us being a solid squad at the end of the season."

Another sophomore, Alyssa Luna, was called up this year to the varsity team.

Leading the charge will be sophomores Mayra Garcia and Taylor Brooks. Garcia is an offensive attacker, while Brooks is a defensive whole guard.

"We have to concentrate and try our best," Brooks said. "Having fun is the whole point of it."

The veterans know their teammates face a steep learning curve.

"We can win if we focus, and pay attention in practice, like we haven't been doing," Garcia said with a laugh.

Brooks said the team will come together if they can learn to communicate on offense.

"We'll have a great season," she said, "whether we win or lose."

Enterprise reporter David Witte can be reached by phone at 388-6565 or by e-mail at sports@losbanosenterprise.com