Bulldogs water polo aiming for league three-peat



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BLOCKED: Number nine, Natalie Carl blocks a Temecula Valley shot, while McKenna Bowles assists on the play. Photos by Bob Otto / For The Valley Chronicle
December 20, 2013
The Hemet girls' water polo team has enjoyed much success the past two seasons. The Bulldogs won back-to-back Mountain Pass League titles, compiled a 42-17 record, and last season reached the pinnacle in high school water polo by winning the CIF-SS Division 7 championship.

All that success provides an example and inspiration for continued success. But as in any high school sports program, rebuilding and change often enter the picture. Such is the case for the 2013-2014 Bulldogs.

At the top of the program, coach Alexis Wilson replaces Travis Henderson. She has a wealth of experience, having played at the high school and college levels along with coaching and officiating the sport.

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SOLID DEFENSE: Hemet goalkeeper Morgan Depasse tries to block a Temecula Valley shot.
The Bulldogs also lost talented senior leadership from last year's championship team. Thus the rebuilding. And if success is to continue, it will depend upon how well several newcomers and returnees jell together.

"This is a rebuilding year, we graduated a lot," said Wilson. "We've got two seniors, four juniors and six sophomores. We've got a lot of work to do, but I've got girls dedicated and willing to work hard."

One of the key returning seniors is Emily Crane. Wilson likes that she can point anywhere in the pool and Crane can fill the position.

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PUSHING FORWARD: Hemet's McKenna Bowles pushes the ball toward the Temecula Valley goal.
"I can put her anywhere – set, guard, driver and wing," Wilson said. "She's definitely our strongest defensive and offensive player."

In Hemet's home-opening 15-9 loss to Temecula Valley last week, Crain scored four goals, two of them coming in the fourth period when the Bulldogs mounted a spirited charge.

Also being counted on are sophomores Natalie Carl and Marie Casteneda. Carl had a strong performance against Temecula Valley, netting three goals, second highest to Crane.

"They are coming up from junior varsity and have a lot to live up to starting on varsity," Wilson said. "But they are really impressive."

Two more prominent players include Audrey Wayment and McKenna Bowles, who each scored a goal against Temecula Valley; Wayment in the first period and Bowles in the final stanza.

"We are working on driving into set, looking for the ball, communicating and sprinting," Bowles said. "We are all about the same (skill) level, but we have two great players in Emily and Audrey. I think we are slowly getting better and stepping it up."

The Bulldogs will return to the Mountain Pass League where they hope to keep their championship string alive. But strong challenges will likely emerge from West Valley, Beaumont and Tahquitz.

"We have a lot of potential," Wilson said. "They are dedicated, don't complain and such hard workers. I think they can hopefully bring another league championship."

The Bulldogs roster includes Bethany Pizzant, Audrey Wayment, Hannah Chavez, Calani Kifer, Jocelyn Olide, Maria Casteneda, Ashlie Molina, Natalie Carl, Emily Crane, Morgan Depasse, McKenna Bowles, and Jessica Cripl.

http://www.thevalleychronicle.com/Articles-Sports-c-2013-12-20-86215.113122-Bulldogs-water-polo-aiming-for-league-threepeat.html Source: www.thevalleychronicle.com
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