The Culver City girls’ water polo team played their best game of the year when they beat a very good El Segundo team 7-6 in two overtimes last Tuesday at the Vets pool on Overland. “The girls played beautifully,” said longtime head coach Nestor Dordoni Sr. after the win. “We have not played that good in the last four years.”
Although it was a great team effort, several players had an outstanding game. Mariko Rooks, Ana Garcia, captain Amber Kennedy, Lily Gardner and goal keeper Grace Campbell. “Grace was outstanding today,” said Dordoni Sr. “I am really happy for her.”
Now the team must get ready for the best team in the Ocean league, Santa Monica. Santa Monica is considered to be one of the best teams in CIF. The Centaurs travel to Santa Monica Tuesday for 3 p.m. game. If they can upset the Vikings then the sky’s the limit for this team.
“The victory over El Segundo means that we can fight for second place,” said Dordoni Sr. “I still think Santa Monica is the best team in the league but you never know.”
Rooks, who also plays softball thinks anything is possible. “We have really come together as a team and I am excited to see what happens next. The main reason I am so excited is because this team has worked really hard since August and to be where we are today is a great feeling.”
Another player who was extremely happy after the win over El Segundo was Lily Gardner. “It was a really tough game and I think we won because we have great team chemistry and we pay attention to details. It shows that all of our hard work in practice is paying off.”
There was another reason everyone was so elated after the win over El Segundo. It was Kennedy’s birthday. That was probably one of the best birthdays she has ever had.