Saratoga News

Sports

Falcons fall in CCS polo playoffs, but what a year it was for Saratoga girls

By Brad Wall

Even though the Saratoga girls water polo team's season ended in a difficult loss to a tough Live Oak team, the Falcons' 13-9 record, appearance in the Central Coast Section playoffs and growth as a team has made for a great season.

"Our season was a great success," said head coach Courtney Crase. "Saratoga girls water polo has not made it to CCS since 2001. Even though we lost our first CCS game, these girls are true winners."

The Falcons had finished fourth in De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League to earn their berth in CCS. Leading the Falcons were Hayes Hyde (50 goals, 20 assists, 59 steals and five drawn ejections), who Crase calls an "incredible swimmer and all around player," Alison Norris (27 goals, 25 assists, 20 steals and 16 drawn ejections), Courtney Nolet (41 goals, 17 assists, 22 steals and 13 drawn ejections) and Marcy Lopez (23 goals, 31 assists, 19 steals and 13 drawn ejections).

In addition to those players, freshmen Elizabeth Murray, Megan Nolet, Nora Patzman and Sara Knysh came out of nowhere to be key factors. Murrary, Patzman and Knysh had never played water polo before this season while M. Nolet plays polo year round.

Knysh stepped up in a big way for the Falcons as she became their backup goalie.

"She has never played water polo, but was fired up to get in the cage," said Crase. "She is an outstanding defensive player who deserves recognition that she may not have received on the scoreboard."

With the range of experience on the team--some girls play year round while others are just starting to play--it was on Crase to find the best way to blend and maximize their talents.

"Being a new coach with new athletes is difficult, but from the beginning these girls established hard work and dedication," said Crase. "[We had] a young team, and throughout the season these girls proved to themselves and the community what kind of talent they had."

Because the Falcons have such a young team--losing only three seniors and having 10 returning varsity players--there is every reason to believe they will return to CCS next season.

"Our main defining point in the season was placing fourth in the league and making it to CCS," said Crase. "This point not only defines this season, but the success for the future."