Feb. 3, 2022, marked a special date for Bonita Vista High’s (BVH) girls’ water polo team as they entered their final game of the season against Eastlake High (EH) before the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs. In support of the team’s Senior Night, friends and parents brought banners and posters to cheer the seniors on BVH’s team. Ultimately, BVH’s varsity girls’ water polo team lost to EH with a score of 4 to 6.

Before the game began, both BVH and EH teams lined up against the pool’s rim so that coaches could congratulate their seniors for their participation in the season. As Head Aquatics Coach Betty Alexander announced the names of the BVH seniors, bouquets of flowers were presented to them. Soon after, the game against the EH Titans commenced.

“I think [BVH and EH are] two pretty competitive teams. I was excited to go into the game knowing that we were both at the same level. It was definitely an exciting game that we were looking forward to all season [and] we definitely wanted it to be a good game,” Goalie, co-Captain and senior Nayelli Rodriguez (1) said.

With only 25 seconds left on the clock, BVH tied 3 to 3 with EH in the second quarter after Wing, Sprinter and sophomore Aparri Tarpley (5) shot the ball into the net. In the bleachers, excitement ran through the spectators as they cheered BVH along.

The techniques that the team practiced all throughout their season were finally put to test. According to Perimeter, co-Captain, and senior Sylvanna Olivas (4), the team used techniques based on their past experience playing against EH. Thus, Olivas felt as if the team knew what they were doing in regards to the team’s strategy.

Throughout the game, BVH and EH equally made multiple drives—referring to the offensive player swimming toward the goal—across the pool. According to Guard and senior Kailee Wendeln (10), the team consistently practiced in an effort to physically prepare themselves before the game against EH; the team practiced from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

“Both of our practices and games were geared towards preparing for this game [by] working on our technique and what type of strategies we wanted to use during this game,” Wendeln said. “Mentally, I think we were just trying to get past the fact that we have lost to Eastlake multiple times before.”

By the end of the fourth quarter with only 11 seconds left of the game, BVH resumed the game after calling a timeout from Alexander to discuss flaws within the team’s setup in the water. As the clock buzzed, signifying the end of the game, the girls came out of the pool smiling.

“We obviously wanted to win, but we were mostly just looking to have fun, revel in our last game and make the most out of our last game as seniors,” Wendeln said.

After the game, parents and friends congratulated the team. Meanwhile, there was a setup within the pool’s location where a table of food and drinks was available for team members. The team celebrated the seniors’ last game of the season. Currently, the team stands first in the third division which qualifies them to play in CIFs. They are expected to play their first game in the quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 11.

“It’s definitely a bittersweet moment knowing that the league is over, and it’s our last league [game]. It’s an ending [to the season], but we’re not done yet. We’re going to CIF and we know we have a lot to prove there. We’re hoping to go very far,” Rodriguez said.

Furthermore, Olivas believes that beyond being teammates, the chemistry and communication as a team have “developed so well.” According to Olivas, the team has learned how to play “very well” together. When asked about their future in water polo, the two captains, Rodriguez and Olivas, agreed that they will “see where it leads.”

“All the credit in the world goes to the girls because they put in the effort; they were there. They tried their best and played their hearts out,” Rodriguez said. “As a senior, I hope that I left good [lessons for the underclassmen]. I know that they are going to go far.”