Girls water polo: Scouting Lake County
LIBERTYVILLE
Coach: Chris Crawford (sixth season)
Returning players: Sarah Durning (Sr.), Lily Marcus, Sara Clark
Key newcomers: Jessica Lanty (So.)
Season outlook: The Wildcats opened the season Wednesday with a 19-13 win over Deerfield, as senior attack Sarah Durning scored 12 goals. Sophomore newcomer Jessica Lanty added 4 goals. "This is a very close-knit group," coach Chris Crawford said. "Right now, I'm waiting to see how they will do. We have a lot of new girls to the varsity and a lot of new girls to water polo."
MUNDELEIN
Coach: Alice Denny (first season)
Last season: 20-12
Returning players: Lauren Blake (Sr.), Denise Casali (Sr.), Emily Garcia (Sr.), Aijan Urmat (Sr.), Ellie Wingender (Sr.), Emily Dodd (Sr.)
Key newcomers: Elisabeth Gomez (Jr.), Jahnvi Modi (Jr.), Lucy Renz (So.)
Season outlook: The Mustangs won 20 games last season but graduated several key players, including 6-foot Karrie Kozokar, who's playing at Indiana University. Former Mundelein star Alice Denny replaces Drew Schneider as head coach and notes, despite the losses to graduation, there is plenty of returning talent to have a very successful season. The Mustangs opened with 11-4 loss to Palatine on Tuesday, despite a pair of goals from senior Emily Garcia.
STEVENSON
Coach: Jeff Wimer (15th season, 22nd overall)
Last season: 31-5, third in state
Returning players: Melissa Gartenberg (Sr. attacker/utility), Allison Travetto (Jr. attacker/utility), Joanie Newland (Sr. attacker/defender), Annika Hotchkiss (Sr. attacker), Erin Kempers (Sr. defender), Autumn Hoang (Sr. attacker), Alex Adams (Sr. attacker), Lauren Burns (Jr. goalie)
Key newcomers: Jordan Landau (Sr. attacker), Tanya Shkiler (Jr. attacker/defender), Claire Haas (Fr. center/attacker), Eileen Hoang (Fr. attacker), Shea Kirby (Fr. attacker)
Season outlook: A return to the state meet appears realistic for the Patriots, who return their top two goal scorers from last season in senior Melissa Gartenberg and junior Allison Travetto. Travetto scored 152 goals, including 14 in three matches at state, and added 73 assists, as the Patriots finished third. Gartenberg fired in 115 goals, 10 coming at state, and had 106 assists. Senior Joanie Newland had 30 goals and 37 assists last season. Seniors Autumn Hoang and Annika Hotchkiss tallied 25 and 23 goals, respectively. "The season has lots of potential," coach Jeff Wimer said. "We return a lot of experience and some very seasoned players along with adding a very strong freshman class. Our goals are very basic - compete for the conference title, compete for a sectional title and then make a strong run for the state championship."
VERNON HILLS
Coach: Shona Moeller (eighth season)
Last season: 6-15
Returning players: Lauren Wood (Sr, set), Elena Ochoa (Sr. field), Lisa Cheng (Sr. field), Melanie Schaffer (Jr. field), Priscilla Yim (Jr. field), Isabella Mione (Jr. goalie)
Key newcomers: Emilia Pranica (So. field)
Season outlook: The Cougars are looking to stay competitive this season. "We have a few seniors who played a vital role in our past successes, and they will be sadly moving on after this year," coach Shona Moeller said. "Several of them will be playing at the collegiate level. We have a very enthusiastic new group of players this year that look as though they will carry the torch of this growing team. Thus far, the girls have been an absolute joy to coach and I couldn't ask for a more willing, caring, fun and supportive group of ladies."