By Megan Guerrero & Mariyah Ramirez

The Boys Varsity Water Polo Team has made quite a splash this season, with an 11-5 record. They have won nine out of ten league games. This makes them first in the West Valley League. Their October 25 victory against Birmingham High School, with a final score of 8-6, was a particularly sweet moment, especially following a prior loss to Birmingham earlier in the month.

Water polo, a lesser-known sport to many, consists of two teams of 13 players each, with 7 players per team in the water at a time. The objective of the game is to put the ball into the opposing team’s net to score goals. Water polo is similar to sports like soccer, requiring extreme amounts of strength, agility, and endurance, however, many find it more challenging as players must tread water all the while.

Nearing the end of the season, it is clear that the Water Polo Team has seen improvement from last season, where the boys ended with a 7-8 overall record.

One of the reasons the team cites for this improvement in performance is their relationships and bond with each other.

“We have become much closer as a team and have a stronger connection, which is key to helping us succeed,” junior Levon Ipchyan said.

During games, the team has to focus on competition and performing their best, but during scrimmages and practices, they have more freedom to focus on team bonding.

And that bonding happens early, literally. The team practices at 5:00 in the morning every day. During these practices, they focus on areas of the sport they need to improve on, including upper body training and swimming warm-ups.

Especially as they practice for upcoming games, the team runs through multiple scrimmages and drills each practice session. These practices can be draining and tiring for the entire team, but the boys push through because of their devotion to the sport.

Matches against challenging teams, some of whom have more games under their belt, really test the team’s ability to work together due to pressure. Therefore, they are always expanding their comfort in working with one another.

“It is hard to describe the feeling of the game because it is so exciting,” Ipchyan said. “Yet you are full of nerves. We get through it together as a team and get the job done.”

The boys’ next challenge is against San Pedro High School on November 6. They are confident in continuing their success and growth from last season.