The Oak Park and River Forest High School varsity girls water polo team is off to a 3-3 start this season. The Huskies started the year nicely with victories in the first two matches: 13-10 in overtime over St. Charles North, then 17-7 over St. Charles East.
Since then, OPRF went 1-3 at the Naperville Central Invitational, March 16, with the only victory occurring in the team’s final match: 6-5 in overtime over Homewood-Flossmoor.
While head coach Elizabeth Perez realizes the Huskies are a work in progress, she’s pleased with the early success.
“We’re playing well so far,” she said. “What’s stood out the most to me is our speed. We have been transitioning well off of the other team’s turnovers.”
OPRF (10-20 last year) returns 10 players: seniors Mary Andolina, Ines Feliciano, Meah Flodin, Ella Homrok (goalie), Phyllis Kreiter, Trinity Mosher, and Elliana Ping; and juniors Fiona Gibbs, Jada Noyes, and Zoie Segbawu (goalie).
Newcomers include freshman Claire McFarlin and juniors Avaa Ruffer and Lucy Vander Griend.
Perez says Lyons Township and York are the teams to beat in the West Suburban Silver, but she hopes the Huskies can challenge them this spring.
“Our goal is always about improvement and staying positive,” she said. “I expect the players to learn, have fun, and become more well-rounded individuals in and out of the pool.”
Fenwick
Fenwick is off to an uncharacteristically slow start at 2-5. After dropping the first three matches, the Friars went 2-2 at the Ann Arbor Pioneer (Michigan) Early Bird Invite, March 16, with victories over the host school and Huron (also from Michigan).
As Fenwick incorporates seven freshmen into the lineup, early bumps are likely to happen. And that’s fine with head coach Elizabeth Timmons.
“There have been vast improvements over the three games we have played so far and I am looking forward to competing with teams over the rest of the season,” she said. “As the girls continue to utilize their strengths, we will improve.”
Fenwick has six returnees from last year’s sectional finalist team, which finished 15-16: seniors Audrey Mason (23 goals, 27 steals in 2023) and Xiomara Trejo (34 goals, 58 steals); and juniors Ava Gelau (14 goals, 50 steals), Camilla Ruelas, Shaira Stoner, and Violet Szczeblowski.
The Friars’ freshmen newcomers are Annamaria Carrozza, Lauren Cheronis, Noelanie Gutierrez, Julia Koda, Lily Mullins, Sammie Reiss, and Maeve Ryan.
Fenwick has non-conference games with Naperville Central, Naperville North, and OPRF on this year’s schedule. Timmons believes Mother McAuley and St. Ignatius should be the favorites in the Metro Catholic Aquatic Conference.
Despite the youthful roster, the Friars’ goals remain unchanged: have fun, work together, win the conference, win the sectional and advance downstate.
“We’re looking forward to playing our best water polo in May,” Timmons said.
