Water polo teams look forward to next season with fresh faces, talent
With teams full of fresh faces the Delta Aquatics men’s and women’s water polo teams have high hopes for next season.
Changes in the Lady Mustangs coaching staff have led to more bonding outside of the pool and harder practice sessions.
“The goals for the rest of the season are to build up a young team, and be strong come next season” said newly hired Coach Kendra Klein, who is in her first year.
Progressing over the season, the team has become a more cohesive.
“The Lady Mustangs Water Polo team, who is slowly improving, is going to be at the top of their game,” said Klein.
The Lady Mustangs have a record of 1-6, currently standing seventh in the division.
Having an overall record of five wins and 13 loses, the team has made progress this season.
“This season has gotten better from the beginning of the year,” said Gianna Pioli, sophomore goalie, 19.
Lyndsey Phelps agrees.
“We’ve progressed since the first game. Now we are keeping up with other teams,” said Phelps, two-meter defense and point.
The Men’s Water Polo team has also been hard at work on improvement.
The team stands sixth in the conference, with a record of three wins, one loss and an overall record of nine wins, seven loses.
NorCal Championships are the next step after regular season play, where the top water polo teams in Northern California compete.
“This year has been a learning experience for this young team,” said sophomore Jakob Johnson, 19.
At a recent practice the men’s team worked on six on six team scrimmage and passing to become a more cohesive team.
“Working together as a fresh team, there is a goal to build chemistry,” said red shirt Paul Woodruff, 21.
The team has to be in the top six to make NorCal, a goal of Coach Mike Maroney.
“We need to place top 6 to make NorCal, to guarantee a place in NorCal we need to place top 4 or even top 3,” said Maroney.
Recently the team focused on shooting and scrimmages.
“We have had a good season so far, though it was a rough beginning,” said sophomore Adam Peterson, 19.
The water polo season is wrapping up with the Big Eight Conference being held Nov. 4-5.
The event will be all day at the June Fergusson Pool, on the San Joaquin Delta College campus.
SEASON WRAP-UP
Nov. 4-5: All Day Big 8 Conference Championships at Delta College
Nov. 11-12: All Day NorCal Championships at College of San Mateo
Nov. 18-19: All Day State Championships at Cerritos College
