A stellar defense and an increase in the number of year-round players has significantly improved the boys’ water polo team from last year.
A majority of the players competed during the off-season on club teams. That, combined with the team’s new goalie coach, has translated to a record of 6-2 and the team ranking third in MCAL of press time.
Junior, Cayman Bearly-Malinowski, a starter for the team, said the atmosphere for the varsity team has become more competitive.
“In years past, water polo hasn’t been the biggest sport at Redwood, so players just played during the school season and did other sports throughout the year,” Malinowski said. “Now there’s a ton of players who are playing year round and are very dedicated, and because of that our team has gotten a lot better.”
Malinowski said he believes about 75% of the team played on a club team before the season.
Junior Adam Loo said the team no longer relies on only a few players.
“In the past there have been a couple star players who play year-round and really dedicate themselves to the sport,” Loo said. “As time goes on and our team gets better, there has been more interest in the sport.”
Another key to this season’s success has been the improved defense.
“As a team we’re best together when we’re on defense,” Loo said.
Ali Namakian, starting goalie, has been a cornerstone of the defense.
“Our assistant coach who played goalie has been working with Namakian, and through his efforts he has improved a lot and has been performing great in games,” Malinowski said.
Payton Marshall, new goalie coach and Redwood graduate, played goalie on the Redwood team as well as on a UC Berkley club team. According to both Malinowski and Loo, Marshall has coached their goalies exceptionally well.
“The leadership we get from our goalie is a great asset to us on defense,” Loo said.
The two games Redwood lost this season were against Drake and Marin Catholic, who are both currently in front of Redwood in MCAL standings.
They played Tam on Thursday for third place in MCAL but results were not available as of press time.
Their first MCAL playoff game is Monday Oct. 23.
