Scouting DuPage County girls water polo
Top local teams: Naperville Central, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley, Metea Valley.
Top games: Waubonsie Valley at Neuqua Valley, March 15; Naperville Central Invitational, March 16-17; Waubonsie Valley at Naperville Central, March 20; Naperville North at Waubonsie Valley, March 22; Naperville Central at Naperville North, April 5; Naperville Central at Neuqua Valley, April 9; Neuqua Valley at Naperville North, April 10; Metea Valley at Naperville North, April 12; Fenwick Tournament, April 12-14; Metea Valley at Waubonsie Valley, April 19; Naperville Central at Fenwick, April 19; Neuqua Valley Tournament, April 21; Naperville North Invitational, April 21; Mother McAuley at Naperville Central, April 24; Stevenson Tournament, May 5; Mustang Varsity Tournament, May 5
Top players: Tara Blanzy (Neuqua Valley, Sr.), Emma Bollinger (Neuqua Valley, jr.), Taylor Bridgman (Naperville North, Sr.); Julia Campbell (Naperville Central, Sr.); Lizzie Hollopeter (Metea Valley, Sr.); Abbey Kerth (Naperville Central, Sr.); Kim Palmer (Waubonsie Valley, Sr.); Maria Palladino (Metea Valley, Sr.); Amanda Peart (Waubonsie Valley, Sr.); Sofi Prorok (Naperville North, Sr.); Emily Sejna (Naperville Central, Sr.); Lauren Stercay (Waubonsie Valley, Sr.), Courtney Taylor (Neuqua Valley, Sr.).
Outlook: Naperville Central looks to be in a strong position as it aims for its fifth straight state finals appearance. There’s plenty of talent returning from 2011’s 32-2 team that fell to Stevenson in the state quarterfinals. Senior Abbey Kerth, who signed with Arizona State University, returns after scoring 130 goals last season and earning first-team all-state honors. Senior Emily Sejna, who heads to the University of Michigan after graduation, is back after a 99-goal effort last year and a second-team all-state honor. Their teammate and fellow senior Julia Campbell, who has committed to the University of Michigan also, was a first-team all-state goalie pick after finishing with a 3.43 goals-against average. Junior Madison Nervig returns also. Coach Jeff Plackett is confident the Redhawks have the depth to fill the remaining three starting spots. Top newcomers include sophomore Kristina Altuve and Erin Reagan. The Redhawks will face defending state champ Fenwick once and possibly two more times.
A number of returning starters will help Naperville North as it aims to improve upon last year’s 20-12-1 record. Top returners include last season’s leading scorer, senior Sofi Prorok, along with senior Audrey Chien and junior Taylor Bridgman. “We look to challenge Naperville Central at the end of the year at sectionals,” said Naperville North coach Andy McWhirter said.
Metea Valley is competing in its first season with seniors and confident it can improve upon last year’s 10-11 mark. Seniors Lizzie Hollopeter and Maria Palladino return after each scoring over 60 goals in 2011. Junior Lindsay Raczak, junior Alex Conti, junior goalie Sean Birkholz and senior Katelyn Apple join the two as the team’s ”common core” starters, according to coach Len DePasquale. “We should do fairly well this season. Currently, our preseason ranking is 25th and our girls have been working together for the past three years as we’ve developed our program,” the Metea coach said.
A young Waubonsie Valley team will look to seniors Kim Palmer, Lauren Stercay and Amanda Peart for leadership as it tries to improve upon last season’s 14-13-2 mark. “This year our team is quite young and many underclassmen are stepping up to the varsity role. They have a lot of passion for the game and really work well as a team,” coach Diana Mehl said.
Neuqua Valley graduated many key seniors from last season, but coach Lucy Tiffin is confident the Wildcats can make a name for themselves in May’s sectional. Top returners from the 2011 squad, that finished 13-13, are seniors Tara Blanzy and Courtney Taylor and junior Emma Bollinger. “I expec t us to cause a stir in our sectional. While many talented seniors graduated last year, we have up and coming talent that will catch many teams by surprise,” Tiffin said.
Hinsdale Central finished 11-15 last spring and return a core of players entering their fourth year of playing together to help put the Red Devils on the winning track. Senior Samantha Kritzer and junior Sarah Pircon return more than 30 goals apiece.
First-year York coach Kristie Przekota and the Dukes will be helped this season by top returning players Katie Nelson, Becca Heiesler, Lauralee Johnson, all seniors, and sophomore Laura Tamm.
— D.J. Wanberg