The Oak Park and River Forest High School varsity girls water polo team has started the season with a solid 4-2 record.
At the Naperville Central Invitational, the Huskies won three out of four games. They dropped the opener on March 21, 8-3, to St. Ignatius. Senior Lucy Vander Griend scored two goals and senior Jada Noyes one in defeat.
OPRF bounced back that evening with a 4-3 victory over Naperville Central. Noyes, Vander Griend, sophomore Claire McFarlin, and junior Evie Hasenbalg each tallied a goal, and senior goalie Zoie Segbawu had 10 saves, including two on five-meter penalty shots.
On March 22, OPRF picked up two wins. In the morning, the Huskies defeated Lincoln-Way East 5-2. McFarlin notched a pair of goals. Hasenbalg, Noyes, and Vander Griend had a goal apiece, and Segbawu posted seven saves.
OPRF closed the tournament strongly, rolling to an 11-4 victory over Homewood-Flossmoor. Vander Griend exploded for five goals. Noyes scored three goals, McFarlin two, and Hasenbalg one. Segbawu made six saves.
Oak Park and River Forest’s Evelyn Hasenbalg (16) tries to get a shot off against Naperville Central during the Naperville Central Invite Friday, March 21, 2025 in Naperville, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal) 
Oak Park and River Forest’s Zoie Segbawu (1) gets up to block a shot by Naperville Central during the Naperville Central Invite Friday, March 21, 2025 in Naperville, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal) 
Oak Park and River Forest’s Avaa Ruffer (18) defends Naperville Central’s Rachel Viehweg (13) during the Naperville Central Invite Friday, March 21, 2025 in Naperville, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal) 
Oak Park and River Forest’s Elisabeth Drobot (2) blocks a pass by Naperville Central’s Molly Moore (9) during the Naperville Central Invite Friday, March 21, 2025 in Naperville, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal)
In her 21st season as Huskies’ head coach, Beth Perez likes how things are shaping up so far, especially considering the fact that 10 players have returned from last season, which saw OPRF finish 10-12.
“Our strength is in our returning players and their knowledge level of water polo,” she said. “It’s rare that we have so many returning to varsity and I see it as a big bonus. We’re already able to work on things that would have taken until later in the season last year.”
Other OPRF varsity returners include seniors Elisabeth Drobot, Fiona Gibbs, Meredith Steinman, and Callie Walsh, and junior Avaa Ruffer. The Huskies’ newcomers are junior Abi Ago and seniors Anne Claud and Noah Stelzer-Jocks.
Under Perez, OPRF has challenged itself by playing a difficult schedule, and this year is no different. The Huskies play at the Hersey Invitational on April 5 and will meet several quality opponents, including Hersey, Jones, Payton Prep, and Sandburg. The annual East Avenue Showdown with Fenwick takes place at Fenwick, April 21.
OPRF does not get any breaks in the West Suburban Silver either. Lyons Township and York have become perennial state powers and are the teams to beat for the title.
However, Perez is more focused with her team continuing to improve on a daily basis.
“Our objective is always to gain more water polo knowledge, of course, while enjoying the aspects of being on a team – the teamwork and camaraderie that come with playing a sport,” she said. “We will need to push ourselves and each other to be the best in and out of the pool that we can be.”