Strong Start to Girls Water Polo Season

As the winter sports season began, the Santa Barbara High School (SBHS) community was excited to see Girls Water Polo back in action. Even though the team lost several players from last year, the Dons have started strong and shown they’re ready for another season. With an 11-1 record so far, the team has surprised some with their dominance. “I think it’s going good, we haven’t lost a lot, and I think we will make CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) hopefully, and I hope to get far,” said freshman player Violette Bailey, who is already making a huge impact in her first year. 

Bailey has been playing water polo for over six years, so joining the high school team felt natural for her. When asked about switching from club to school teams, she said, “It’s not very different, it’s really just a different team,” adding that the biggest change is not having to travel anymore. “With the high school team, I don’t need to go anywhere for practice, I just stay, which is nice.” What matters most to Bailey is team chemistry. “Bonding and being nice,” is what she says is the most important part of being on a good team. She’s also excited to spend the next few years getting closer to her teammates. 

For senior Hope Smith, this season has been all about leadership. With so many young players joining the program, she feels a responsibility to help everyone feel included. “Our leadership, we have a really small and young team, so I think just making everyone feel welcome is really important because water polo is such a team sport and we really need that connection,” said Smith. With three years of experience, she knows how important communication is. “I have learned a lot about how to work as a team, and leadership is just a huge part of the sport.” Even though the team lost eight players from last year, the group has come together fast. 

Head Coach Mark Walsh, who also coaches the boys team, is just as proud of the group’s progress. “We are 11 and 1, and we’ve had a really good start,” he said. The Dons lost their first match to Dos Pueblos, but they’ve been winning ever since. “We’ve won a couple of tournaments and won a bunch of non- league games. We beat a bunch of teams that we lost to last year, so we have really improved a lot.” Walsh says one of the biggest reasons for their success is that most of last year’s players returned. “We didn’t graduate many girls from last year so we have most of the girls back,” he explained. “A couple of girls decided not to play, which would’ve helped us out this year, but we did get two incoming freshmen who have really made our team a whole lot stronger.” 

Overall, what he’s most impressed with is how the players treat one another. “I think the way you treat each other is probably the most important thing, and that’s something I’m really impressed with by this group of girls,” Walsh said. He talked about how experienced players and beginners blend easily. “We have some very talented girls who are brand new to the sport, and they all treat each other with complete respect and support, and they are always there for each other. It’s just an amazing group to coach.” With great chemistry, strong leadership, and an amazing start to the season, the girls water polo team is feeling confident as they move toward CIF.