Greenhill excited about first year at St. Charles East
The St. Charles East girls water polo program has found a coach in Annie Greenhill who is about as experienced in her sport as you can find.
Greenhill began playing water polo when she was 9 years old in Southern California. She played competitive water polo for 14 years including on a national championship winning club team. She competed in the Pan-Pacific Games in New Zealand, and trained at the Olympic training center.
Greenhill played water polo for Gannon University as a 4-year starter and was named Collegiate Water Polo Association all-conference all four years. She also was the team MVP.
Greenhill brings all that experience to the Saints and is optimistic despite the team's early 0-3 start to the year.
“I am very excited to be coaching such a great group of ladies,” Greenhill said. “I know their drive and my experience with ensure for their development. I have had nothing but support for the staff and player parents for the start of my coaching for the Saints.”
Greenhill said the Saints have improved in each of their three losses. The Saints have four captains: Angelica Smith, Katelyn Beck, Rachel Salveson and Emily DiLillo.
“Their drive and leadership is a tremendous help through this transition of coaching style,” Greenhill said. “They show great potential in the game of water polo and I'm excited to see how much they will develop during the season.”
Beck is the Saints' starting hole set and is a “force to be reckoned with,” according to Greenhill because “she uses her strength and powerful shot to make goals and draw away defense to create openings for other players.”
In addition to Salveson, who Greenhill said “has shown fantastic game awareness and is a strong leader in the pool who creates opening and points for the Saints,” sophomore goalkeeper Jeneva Newman is another player the new coach likes.
“I believe she will be a huge asset to our team,” Greenhill said. “She has made some huge blocks way beyond her experience. She has the awareness needed for goal keeping.”
Nick Engel's St. Charles North girls team is coming off a 1-22 season. Their top returning players are Claire Bultema, Hannah Cox and Mallory Hecht.
“I am looking for a lot of offense production out of these three,” Engle said.
Sophomore Savanna Lada is taking over goalie and Engel said she can have a great year.
Overall, Engel wants to see the team move in the right direction.
“I think this year will be another year of growth and I expect to be competitive as the year progresses,” Engel said.