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The Paly Voice

The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

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Varsity boys water polo enter league season with tough loss

Down 8-3 going into the second half, it seemed like the Paly varsity boys’ water polo team was losing hope. However, the boys refused to be beaten without a fight. They came back in the third quarter with renewed energy, going on a five goal scoring streak, and ending the game with a seven point deficit, 15:8, one point closer to victory than they were in their last game against Gunn.

Though Sept. 17 game ultimately resulted in a loss, Paly boys’ coach Jon Barnea sees the game as a team victory.

"Last time we played Gunn we lost by eight. This time we lost by seven, so it’s a step in the right direction," Barnea said.

The Vikings came out slow, and once the Titans gained the lead, it was never recovered.

"The guys came out a little flat in the first quarter," Barnea said. "The team has yet to really comprehend that it takes four quarters of hard play to beat a team like Gunn. If we continue to use the first quarter to warm up we will continously find ourselves in a hole going into the second quarter."

The Vikings were well matched with the Titans in terms of swimming ability, and both teams made quick counter attacks and shots. The Paly boys learned immediately that most turnovers resulted in Gunn goals, and they improved their passes and began protecting the ball more effectively as the game progressed. Paly challenged Gunn with numerous steals, resulting in several Paly goals. However, Paly suffered from shot delay. Often Gunn defense was given time to set up before Paly took a shot, which allowed Gunn to make several field blocks and goalie saves.

Senior goalie Tayson Siegel played an amazing four quarters, making numerous blocks and assisting Paly’s counter ability with steals from the cage. In the third quarter Siegel blocked a shot during a five on six offense, then made a quick pass down to junior Seth Bowles who scored on the counter. Siegel made a number of other important steals and counter attack assists for the Paly offense.

"Tayson has been working hard this season on developing leg strength and explosiveness in the cage," Barnea said. "As a result he has made some incredible saves this season."

Though momentum seemed to pick up at the end of the third quarter, shot hesitation on the perimeter made a less effective fourth quarter less profficient for the Vikes. Senior Lee Anderson was finally able to pull off a shot from the wing on a six on five opportunity with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Shortly after, senior Brenton Ganschow followed with a counter goal with 1:44 left on the game clock.

Despite their valiant effort, the Vikes failed to compete with the more experienced Titans. Alhough they were not able to pull off a win, the boys are continuously improving and are optimistic towards their next bout with Gunn.

The Vikings look to improve their record when they take on Cupertino at home on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 3:15.

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