Tough stretch awaits Naperville Central
Getting off to a 15-0 start has been nothing short of business as usual for the Naperville Central girls water polo program. The Redhawks are ranked second in the state to Lyons Twp. and are prepping for their toughest regular-season stretch of 2011.
Naperville Central will travel to Jenison, Mich., on Friday to take on top talent in the Wolverine State before returning home the following week to face Fenwick.
“Claire Wirtz has been real active for us on the counterattack,” said Redhawks coach Jeff Plackett. “Going into the season I was concerned with the leadership we graduated in 2010, but (Wirtz) and Robyn Stanley are doing a nice job stepping into that role.”
The Redhawks’ signature performance came as host of their own tournament last month. In a matchup that pitted two of the top three teams in the state, Naperville Central defeated Homewood-Flossmoor in the tournament final.
Quick work at Waubonsie:New Waubonsie Valley boys water polo coach Matt Niemeier has helped the Warrior program pull off a midseason coaching transition. Niemeier took over in the second week of March, and described his new role as co-coach alongside Warriors assistant Rose Schiavone. He previously coached the Warriors in the 2010 summer club season. #147;Luckily (Schiavone) stayed so it#146;s not a whole new system. It#146;s a nice combination of old and new ideas,#148; Niemeier said. #147;The team is surprising me with their (positive) attitudes and the support system from their parents.#148;Waubonsie finished second in sectionals last season and once again is a top team in the area. #147;It#146;s easy to come into a situation where the players know what they#146;re doing,#148; Niemeier said. A Mustangs first:Last month the Metea Valley boys water polo program accomplished something it had never done before: earn a varsity win. It came in regular-season action against Lincoln-Way West, and according to junior Neal Patel, all things just seemed to be clicking for the Mustangs during the historic win. #147;We were swimming very fast and getting back on defense quickly,#148; Patel said. #147;It felt great.#148;The Mustangs have steadily improved throughout the season thanks to a demanding schedule. #147;Our passing has improved and we#146;re getting better at defense,#148; sophomore Alex Gidlow said. #147;We#146;re learning what some of the better teams look like.#148;The Mustangs earned the impressive win just one year removed from having only seven players make up the entire program (which was junior varsity only in 2010). Young Huskies:The Naperville North girls water polo team is sustaining its reputation as a defensive-minded team as it rides the momentum of three talented standouts.Underclassmen Taylor Bridgman and Audrey Chien have been anchoring the defense alongside senior Emma Ryan in goal. #147;Defensively, we#146;ve been doing an awesome job at setting up the offense,#148; coach Andy McWhirter said. Defense keys Huskies:With the No. 2-ranked Naperville Central boys team strengthening its grasp on the first seed at sectionals, Naperville North is focusing its goal on gaining the second or third seed. According to coach John Blumthal, one of the highlights for his team this season was forcing a tie in tournament play against Oak Park-River Forest. The tie was earned by guarding No. 7-ranked Oak Park with a relentless defense.#147;Development-wise, it#146;s been good. We#146;ve switched up some defenses this year,#148; Blumthal said. Keeping up with the elite area teams has also worked in the Huskies#146; favor.#147;The better competition in the area raises the level for everyone,#148; Blumthal said. #147;These kids play at such a high level.#148;