Cielo Muniz Sigala

Amber Perkins (7) attempts to gain possession of the ball as CVLCC tries to score a goal.

The game whistle pierces through the air as loud splashes and bodies moving in the water signal the start of the game. The girls water polo team races towards the center of the pool as the referee drops the ball into the water. 

On Jan. 26, the Lady Barons competed against the Chula Vista Learning Community Charter School (CVLCC) in a Varsity water polo match. However, this game proved to be the opposite of  a nail-biting, as the Lady Barons started strong..

No more than three minutes in the first quarter, the score reached 5-0 with BVH in the lead. The CVLCC Cobras would earn a clear shot in the second period, but senior goalie Sydney Asman denied the opportunity, exploding out of the water to catch the ball and halt the attack. Asman, along with her ability to block opposing shots, served as a key communicator, enabling cohesion among teammates to improve field awareness.

“As a goalie, I have a really wide view of the pool, so I can communicate with [my team] about the clock, passing options and just where players need to be. Communication was a big part of today’s game and it allowed us to move the ball up and get what we needed to get done,” Asman said.

Communication is often regarded as one of the most important skills a team can develop. Freshman Ariana Larena shares this sentiment and describes how she believes their team chemistry is responsible for their good coordination

“I feel like when the ball needs to be somewhere, communication is really crucial. When we work on our team chemistry, it helps us achieve what we want to achieve more efficiently,” Larena said.

Communication not only connects the team, but pushes teammates to take risks. In the second period with two minutes left, a foul was called near the opposing goal. Freshman Aliana Sachs was asked to take the penalty shot and, despite initial uncertainty, displayed confidence and made the ninth goal of the game. 

“That was my first free throw, so when [my team] asked me to take it, I was unsure at first. But I prepared myself through positive affirmations and once the whistle blew, I shot it and made it. It was a really good feeling after, especially it being my first free throw,” Sachs said.

As the third period came to a close two minutes later, the score increased to 14-0. However, contrary to the previous periods, the red cap for the BVH goalie is moved to Mia Ramirez. Asman describes how the substitution during the game gave her a chance to work with her teammates beyond the net and use the skills she developed as a field player in her past.

“If it is a pretty light game, I usually go out in the last quarter and get a chance to play with the rest of my team. I used to play there my freshman year, so it is nice being able to go back to my roots and get out of the cage every once in a while,” Asman said.

As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 18-0. During this game, every member playing in the water was able to score, giving them the chance to gain experience for upcoming games. This game against CVLCC was the first of five this week as Freshman Addalyn Dewyea emphasized the importance of this first game and the experience they gained from it.

“We really needed the motivation and hype from this game, especially with tough opponents coming up this week, like Coronado, who are undefeated,” Dewyea said. “It is important that we take the momentum, knowledge and experience from this match to use it in future games.”