Girls’ Water Polo: Newport JVs step up to plate
They are junior varsity players in name alone.
In terms of talent, members of the Newport Harbor girls’ water polo JV team can match up with many of the varsity players in Orange County.
They proved it again last weekend, as Newport Harbor’s JV team won the Segerstrom varsity tournament. It was the second time in three years that Newport Harbor’s JV team has won a varsity tournament.
“I think it opens people’s eyes to the level of play that our young players are capable of playing at,” Newport Harbor JV Coach Brian Melstrom said.
Newport Harbor defeated Yucaipa, 14-7, in the title game Saturday at Segerstrom High. In the semifinals, the Sailors got past another varsity team from St. Joseph, 15-4.
The Sailors outscored their five opponents in the tournament by a combined 70-27, Melstrom said. Sophomore center Claire Tafoya led Newport with 24 goals. A pair of freshmen, Jessica Lynch and Kaela Whelan, scored 12 goals each.
Sophomore Quincy Morgan scored 10 goals for Newport Harbor’s JVs, and freshman Sarah Barker scored seven despite missing the first two games of the tournament with a concussion. Sophomore goalie Chloe Schilling made 25 saves.
Sophomore Baylor Boring contributed as the first substitute off the bench for the Sailors, who Melstrom said have come on strong after suffering losses to rival junior varsity squads Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach in December.
Newport Harbor also won the Laguna Beach JV tournament earlier this season, beating host Laguna in the semifinals and San Clemente in the championship game.
“They’re improving,” Melstrom said. “They’re getting better at their team defense. They’re understanding the game more .... they’re typical Newport girls. They play hard all four quarters, and never give up.”
The squad also has two juniors, Alex Crow and Josie Miller. Miller missed the tournament due to injury, Melstrom said. Sophomores Romiena Hernandez and Kailey Hambek are other members of the team who are new to the program, and the JV squad also has freshman goalie Emma Kennedy.
The 2012-13 Newport Harbor JV team, which featured many current varsity starters such as Carlee Kapana, Kate Pipkin, Chloe Schilling, Ellie Reid and Isabel Leveque, won the Costa Mesa varsity tournament for the second straight year.
“Winning a varsity tournament is definitely a confidence-booster,” Melstrom said. “Moving into varsity roles next year, it gives them confidence that they can play at the next level.”
Melstrom said his JV team is gearing up for a potential Sunset League title showdown against Huntington Beach on Feb. 11. Newport Harbor and CdM are co-hosting the first Back Bay JV championships tournament on Feb. 13-14, Melstrom said, featuring most of the top junior varsity programs in Orange County.
