Water polo has been named one of the toughest sports in the world due to the physical
intensity. The sport requires its athletes to know how to swim and tread in the water and they
also need to know how to pass and shoot a water polo ball.
The Heritage girls water polo team just recently won the Bronze Division of the Sierra
Shootout. They defeated El Dorado (11-3) and Sierra Manteca High School (8-4) whose teams
went undefeated for the season prior to the games against the patriots.
Not only do you have to be a physically strong athlete to succeed on a water polo team, you
also have to be a great team player.
According to Natalie Buttia (11) being a great team player means you have to become selfless
when it comes to decision making and you also need great communication skills in order for
your teammates to understand each other.
“You are going to meet many people with different personalities so you have to learn how to be
understanding and see things from another person’s point of view because if you don’t then the
personal issues you will have with that person would affect the entire team,” stated Buttia (11)
Team building is an important aspect of every sport, especially water polo since you will be
relying on your teammates and coaches to succeed in the sport. Samantha Chao (12) claims that
being a senior on the team gives you the responsibility to bring the team together by hosting
team bonding events.
“My teammates and I would plan out some hangouts and dinners before tournaments and
matches,” quoted Chao (12).
The coaching has changed for the Patriots due to some personal affairs but this has not affected
how the Patriots have performed. According to Sophia Cadero (12), the team has found many
ways to go around the situation and build on what they already have.
“We try to not let the coaching situation to affect our mentality and how we play, even if it isn’t
what we wanted,” stated Cadero (12).
The Patriots recently competed in a Battle of the Bay tournament and finished with a win
against Livermore High School (10-7) and loss against Fremont High School (9-13) to wrap up
their season.