Girls Water Polo: Naperville Central anticipates strong season
BY NEIL SHALIN For Sun-Times Media March 16, 2013 5:46PM
Senior Madison Nervig (9) will be counted on to take a leadership role for Naperville Central this season. | Brian O'Mahoney~for Sun-Times Media
Updated: April 18, 2013 6:30AM
METEA VALLEY
Coach: Lenny DePasquale
Last year: 20-7-2, lost in sectional finals
Top players: Seniors Lindsay Raczak (driver), Zoe Krey (center defender), Monique Martin (driver), Cara Romeo (goalkeeper); sophomore Leah Hummel (center).
Outlook: The Mustangs are in rebuilding mode after losing several key players from last year’s successful squad. In order to compete with the other Naperville schools DePasquale is counting on the contributions of those listed above and the development of a promising group of upperclassmen who were waiting their turn for pool time last year. Raczak is being counted on to lead the Mustangs offense, while Krey is aggressive and smart and can defend the hole. Hummel is a great addition and the offense will go through her. “It’s hard to say how we’ll do at this point,” said DePasquale. “We’re counting on so many inexperienced players that we’ll have to get a few games under our belt before we see how good we can be.”
NAPERVILLE CENTRAL
Coach: Jeff Plackett
Last year: 33-3, lost to Fenwick in state championship
Top players: Seniors Madison Nervig, Erin Reagan, Jenny Doyle, Leslie Calabrese, Sarah Borton; Juniors Kristina Altuve, Michelle Spaits, Jessica Fox (goalie); sophomore Beth Ryan.
Outlook: The Redhawks graduated three All-Americans from a team that was runner-up in state, but there’s plenty of talent to carry on the school’s girls water polo tradition. Nervig and Reagan are tested all-star caliber players who stepped up big in the postseason. They’re ready to take leadership roles. Altuve brings the kind of enthusiasm and aggressiveness that will help keep the Redhawks among the leaders, while Calabrese and Borton, the top scorers on the junior varsity, will have to make up for some of the offense the team lost when All-American Abbey Kerth graduated. “This year everyone is going to have to do a little bit of everything,” said Plackett. “We have a new offensive scheme that requires everyone to play every position. We’ll be working hard to make sure our defense maintains its high quality.” Naperville Central should again be among the top teams in Illinois.
NAPERVILLE NORTH
Coach: Andy McWhirter
Last year: 22-10, lost to Metea Valley in sectional semifinal
Top players: Seniors Taylor Bridgman (utility), Kim Lechowicz (utility); juniors Kate MacDuff (goalie), Dani DiMatteo; sophomore Jillian Eiken (utility); freshmen Katie Horn (attacker); Caitlyn Holzer (utility), Taylor Stoner (utility).
Outlook: After suffering heavy graduation losses, the Huskies will probably take a little while to develop into the powerful outfit McWhirter expects them to be by the end of the season. “It will take some time to build rhythm and for everyone to get to know each other,” McWhirter said. The Huskies have a lot of speed and depth. Bridgman will lead the scoring parade, and she’s also capable of setting up her teammates. MacDuff is a potential shutdown goalie. Eiken and Lechowicz are crafty veterans and DiMatteo brings a strong physical game. The three freshmen will make a difference immediately, especially the speedy Horn, who, along with Holzer has club experience at the national level. And Stoner gives the Huskies an added weapon capable of filling a number of roles.
NEUQUA VALLEY
Coach: Lucy Tiffin
Last year: 11-15-2, lost to Naperville Central, finished fourth in sectional
Top players: Seniors Brooke Bedford (attacker), Deanna Hoff (center defender), Ann Kathrin Becker (attacker), Devon Olson (center); juniors Kaitlyn Gorski (attacker), Sydney Gathe (goalie); sophomore Morgan Miller (attacker).
Outlook: There’s outstanding talent at the top starting with speedy veteran Bedford, a leader and captain who understands the game and is always a threat to put the ball in the net, and Hoff, a skilled all-around player. Gathe was an impressive stopper on junior varsity last year and she’s being counted on to succeed in her first year in the varsity net. To challenge for a sectional title, the Wildcats will have to develop a balanced offense that can convert consistently from a variety of positions. “We don’t have a lot of players,” said Tiffin. “But, we’re comfortable that we can trust everyone who will get playing time. We’re physical, smart and aggressive on defense and we have solid communication and impressive speed.“
WAUBONSIE VALLEY
Coach: Diana Mehl
Last year: 3-20, finished sixth in sectional
Top players: Senior Neha Khanna (goalie); juniors Molly Devine (left attacker), Samantha Holzschu (defensive hole), Haley Mulherin (utility); freshman Kimela Srey (attacker).
Outlook: For most of last season the predominantly sophomore Warriors team was just learning the game, but Mehl could see them making progress toward the end of the campaign. Now those youngsters are mature and ready to compete at a higher level. Devine is a good two-way player who has two years of varsity experience. And freshman Srey is a natural talent who is expected to be a difference-maker. The versatile Mulherin will probably serve as the team’s sprinter, while Holzschu and Khanna worked hard in the offseason to bring their game up a couple of notches. “Our defense is strong,” said Mehl. “We know how to shift positions, trap and close. And, as a team, we have good quickness. I think we’re capable of finishing at or above. .500.”
