JV Boys’ Water Polo Shooting to Win

KAYIU WONG
Staff Writer

Daily practices are like clockwork for fall athletes. Working tirelessly to improve and hone skills, the JV boys’ water polo team knows this firsthand.

According to Head Coach Adrian Lopez, moving the majority of previous JV players up to varsity has resulted in many new faces. Out of the 12 current junior varsity players, there has been weekly walk ins and only two returners from last year’s JV team.

“We want our players to be quick with the ball and focus on our drives and quick catches [in order to] shoot plays,” Lopez says.

Treading, dribbling, passing and shooting are the areas of emphasis the water polo team are focusing on. The players work on control with ball handling drills and shooting inside the corners of the goal. JV practice occurs alongside their fellow varsity teammates, and scrimmages against each other have helped both offensive and defensive tactics. Along the way, building up endurance while swimming and treading is another key aspect for the young players.

“[Because of conditioning] we have been able to last longer swimming. We can actually catch up to fresh players that just got into the water, while we’ve been in the water for the whole first quarter,” junior Peter Lopez said.

With the season starting the same time as school, there has been limited time for the JV team to develop skills and play right off the bat. Nonetheless, the ambition to win and succeed is the biggest driving force the team has.

“With the amount of work we put in during practices, our players should feel like the game is a breeze,” Coach Lopez said.