In its final game of the season, the Palo Alto Vikings girls’ Water polo team (21-7) lost, 7-9, in the Central Coast Section quarterfinals to the Archbishop Mitty Monarchs (19-5) Saturday morning at Menlo Atherton High School.
According to Viking head coach Deke Rowell, the team stayed strong throughout the game.
“I’m most proud of how they held their composure,” Rowell said. “With a game like that, we were up two, then we were down two or three, and they came back to tie it. “So there was a lot of composure there, which I knew this group was capable of.”
The Vikings came out strong with Viking junior Sabrina Meyers scoring a 5-meter penalty shot and other Vikings racing across the pool to score on the counterattack. The Monarchs responded with goals from the set player, a catch and shoot goal from Monarch sophomore Mailani Lavaka, giving them the 3-2 lead by the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Vikings opened up scoring opportunities with drives and set passes, but they couldn’t get the ball to the back of the net. The Monarchs used bad Viking passes to launch successful counterattacks, and Monarch Senior Maddie Caputo scored a shot from the perimeter. The 2nd quarter ended 5-2 with Mitty in the lead.
The Vikings played lights out defense in the 3rd quarter, making it difficult for the Monarchs to get quality shots. Offensively, the Vikings continued to make successful drives which allowed Viking sophomore Cecilia Ryans and Porter to score on the 6-on-5, when one defender is excluded, making it easier to score. The score was tied up at 6-6 at the end of the 3rd quarter, putting the Vikings back into the game.
Monarch Sophomore Mailani Lavaka said having the right mindset in the final quarter was important.
“Going into the fourth quarter, we’re just like, this is our game,” Lavaka said. “We have to go full energy, full out, because it all depends on these last six or seven minutes.”
In the final quarter, Capunto scored a backhand shot from set, and Monarch senior Zuie Jog scored from the 3 post on the 6-on-5. The Monarchs pressed on defense, forcing bad passes from the Vikings. In the last 30 seconds, the Monarchs ran the clock down to secure the 9-7 victory.
Viking freshman Sloane Nagayama said the team will be different next year with many seniors gone.
“It’s definitely going to be different because there’s a class of 10 seniors who are leaving, but we still have three of our starting lineup,” Nagayama said. “We’ll still stay a good team, but it’s definitely going to be harder.”
According to Viking senior Fallon Porter, the team has meant a lot to her.
“It’s [the team] honestly been everything to me,” Porter said. “Every single day after school I get to see this group of girls, and it’s really fun. Everyone’s been so sweet. Especially this past year, we really came together and did the best we’ve ever done. I’m really gonna miss it.”
According to Rowell, he is proud of his team and what they’ve accomplished.
“At a historical level, this team scored 379 goals over the course of the season and also won the most games this year in 21 years,” Rowell said. “I could coach another 15 years, and I may not have a group like this again, so they’re a very special group and I’m super proud of them.”
