After reaching the finals in last year’s CCS tournament, this year’s team is looking not only to return to the finals, but win in the finals as well.

“We are looking to take a CCS championship this year,” junior Surya Ram said. “Last year we were in the finals, this year we intend to go all the way.”

After losing many of last year’s starters such as Matt Orton, ‘12, and Adam Warmoth, ‘12, this year the Eagles will have to play with a reconstructed starting lineup. However, the team is confident that new starters will be able to step up and work well together.

LAHS water polo is usually well-prepared and this year is no different. As a result of the morning workouts before school and the rigorous practices after school, the team is just as, if not more, prepared than it has been in previous years.

Unlike in previous years, the water polo team has taken two trips out of school together. The first trip to San Diego was supposed to help the team prepare, but the scrimmages were canceled so the team was able to relax and get time to bond. The next trip was a tournament in Santa Barbara, where players faced off against the top teams in Southern California. These trips helped not only to prep the team for the difficult season but also helped the team bond and become a more cohesive unit.

“The main factors in this year’s success would be how much the new starters step up, and if we are able to work well as a unit,” Surya said.

The Eagles plan on being dominant on both sides of the ball. In past years, the water polo team has always been capable of scoring and putting up big numbers, but this year’s team is going to need to rely more on defense.

“We will need to improve our defense in order to be successful,” coach Johnny Bega said.

Although this year’s team may not have as much experience as in previous years, it does have different strengths and advantages that could help it achieve its aspirations.

“This year our team really plays cohesively,” captain senior Ian McColl said. “More so this year than any other year I have played. I think that we really know the guys to our left and to our right.”

Overall, this year’s team is looking promising. The team’s cohesiveness and offensive depth make the CCS championship a definite possibility. If all goes to according to plan, the Eagles hope to have another successful season of water polo.