Despite previous seasons, Pitman’s varsity girls’ water polo team has dominated in their league with a 6-1 season so far. With a team of experienced and motivated players, the girls and their coach are excited for the games to come.
Head coach Michaela Solario is very pleased with her team and their commitment. “What makes me proud is the hard work these girls have put in and the potential they are all reaching together.”
The girls are definitely no strangers to success. JV girls have been CCC champions since 2011, so this year’s varsity knows what winning feels like. Last year, with a record of 4-6, it clearly wasn’t their best season.
“It was a building year,” team captain, senior, Kim Canisso stated. “It’s important that we don’t go in over confident and slack off at games.”
Solario also expressed her feelings about last year’s season, saying, “Last year was a bittersweet year. We went in with a good team and high expectations, but when it came to league games, we couldn’t get it together. Tournaments were great, but it made for a tough season.”
With the past behind them, the girls have continued to win their games with great dedication and team work.
Just because they’ve been winning most of their games, doesn’t mean the season has been easy. With tough teams like Merced, it is crucial that the team stays focus and on track, both in practices and games. Last Thursday, October 16, the Pride had their first defeat of the season to Golden Valley 6-4. Both teams played hard, but Pitman ended up with a tough loss in the end.
Like every team, the Pride varsity has room for improvement. “Our weaknesses are vast, but small. Those come down to individual things that we are working every day to correct,” Solario expressed.
With only three league games left in the season, the team is working hard to continue to defeat the teams that they play. For seniors Canisso, Jessica Kern, and Erin Tait, it will be their last three games of high school water polo. However, even when the seniors leave, the team will still be strong. Next year’s juniors and seniors consist of very talented players that will lead the team into many victories.
One major highlight of the team’s season was their game against Turlock High. On October 7, the Pride played hard to beat the Bulldogs 12-6. Tait was the top scorer with 6 goals and goalie Kern was able to block 13 shots – a game high. Canisso also played a good game with three assists and three steals.
In reference to the game, Solario stated, “Hometown rivalries are always so crazy because you never know what will happen. We came off the Merced win and I told the girls to go out and have fun and play water polo and they will be fine.”
On Thursday, October 30, Pitman will play Turlock High for the second time. It will also be their last game of the season. With both teams anxious for the win, it will definitely be a good game to watch.