The girls water polo, returning C.I.F. champs are back and ready to make a splash this season. Their last varsity game with Mt. Carmel ended with a score of Poway (19) and Mt. Carmel (2).  Recognized players this year are seniors Maya Davis and Grace Kellerman, Lexi Burg and Campbell Hakim.

 The coaches say they have a good bond. “They have a really good friendship. Especially in the water. They are all the same but very different,” Head Coach Crystal Patterson said. “We are really, really close, just like family,” Sophomore Lexi Burg said.

Water polo players are working their way up to proper fitness.“We are still a little out of shape, but that’s expected in the beginning of the season. I do think their mindsets are good and ready for C.I.F.,” Patterson said.

Their Open Division competitors are Bishops, Cathedral, Carlsbad, and La Jolla. Division One would be Rancho Bernardo for the reason that the team consists of mostly seniors. At the moment they are in Division One and can make it into Open Division if the season goes well.

“One game at a time. I’m not predicting any type of future, I have expectations but I don’t have anything other than we are going to take one game at a time,”  Patterson said. 

The coach is focusing on conditioning and building muscle with the players’ legs. On game days, the players are not allowed to have any treats before the game. Practices are every day either in the morning or after school. Three days a week they have four hour practices, the other two days they have two hour practices.

This years team captain is senior Maya Davis who has been playing four years at Poway. “Always try your best. Put in the effort, be a positive person, and encourage your teammates” Maya Davis said. Maya Davis reflects on what it takes to be a goalie, “Talk to your defense and direct them in how they can help you and as much as they suck do a lot of legs.”

Girls water polo is motivated to continue thriving this year.