Scouting DuPage County girls water polo
Top teams: Naperville Central, Naperville North, Metea Valley, York.
Top games: Hinsdale Central Invite, March 9; Naperville Invite at Metea Valley, March 8-9; Metea Valley at Naperville Central, March 12; Mundelein at York, March 14; York at Lyons, March 18; Lincoln-Way East at Naperville North, March 18; Naperville North at Naperville Central, March 19; Sandburg at Metea Valley, March 20; Metea Valley at Naperville North, April 2; Metea Valley at St. Charles North, April 3; Fenwick Tournament, April 4-6; Fremd Tournament, April 5; Hinsdale South at Hinsdale Central, April 8; York Invite, April 13; Neuqua Valley at Naperville North, April 16; Stevenson Tournament, April 19-20; Naperville North Invite, April 20; Naperville North at Fenwick, April 24; Metea Valley at Hinsdale Central, April 25; Naperville North at Stevenson, May 1; Sandburg at Naperville Central, May 1; West Suburban Conference meet, May 4.
Top players: Lily Bone (Hinsdale South, Sr.); Lily Browder (Hinsdale South, Jr.); Maggie Dunford (Hinsdale South, Sr.); Lainey Eckholm (Naperville North, Jr.); Maria Gabrielli (Naperville Central, Jr.); Katrina Geiersbach (Hinsdale Central, Soph); Emma Guccione (Naperville Central, Jr.); Chloe Lapointe (Hinsdale Central, Jr.); Melissa Li (Hinsdale Central, Sr.); Jodie Nelson (Naperville Central, Jr.); Katie Nigohosian (Hinsdale South, Sr.); Emma Radcliff (York, Sr.); Grace Raquel (Naperville North, Soph); Devan Rospert (Hinsdale South, Sr.); Artemis Siavelis (York, Sr.) Anna Tarantino (Naperville North, Soph); Moleigh Waldherr (York, Jr.) Emily Wagner (Naperville Central, Jr.); Taylor Wessel (Naperville North, Sr.).
Outlook: Naperville North is coming off a third-place finish last season, defeating Loyola 11-9 to win its last game. They finished with a 24-11 record, but projections for another run at the state tourney might be in the cards for the Huskies. Led by senior Taylor Wessel, the Huskies have plenty of talent returning to make a run at the state championship. Wessel, an Indiana recruit and the lone senior on the roster, scored 89 goals last season, including a stellar effort in the three state tourney games. Sophomore Anna Tarantino had 15 goals in the first 31 games last season, while sophomore Grace Raquel is also primed for a big season. Junior Lainey Eckholm is a key offensive leader after netting 24 goals in the opening 31 games.
"Taylor sets the bar and works with everyone on the team to improve," Naperville North coach Andy McWhirter said. "Her leadership for our young team helps to guide the team to set high level goals and she will be the force driving our success this season."
"Anna Tarantino has greatly improved in the off-season … We're looking for her to add to her opportunities this year. Grace Raquel, as a freshman, stepped into the role of the starting goalie and took on the challenge of defending the net. She's an aggressive goalie and does not back down."
Naperville Central returns plenty of talent from last season's 26-7 team. Coach Jeff Plackett, in his 17th season, is looking to lead his four returning starters to state following a sectional final loss to Naperville North last season. Junior Jodie Nelson is coming off a monster season in which she scored 41 goals, dished out 46 assists and tallied 74 steals. Junior Emily Wagner had 28 goals, 39 assists and 72 steals, while junior Emma Guccione added 40 goals, 28 assists and set a single-season school record with 129 steals. Goalie Maria Gabrielli, who had 203 saves last season, rounds out a talented junior foursome.
"Our starting lineup and regular rotation should feature several sophomores coming off a very good off-season workout plan," Plackett said. "With several (early) games against top competition, we will have a good idea of where we need to grow in order to make some noise in May."
Hinsdale Central is looking to top last season's 14-15 record, especially after losing to Naperville Central in the sectional quarterfinals. Sophomore Katrina Geiersbach was the team's second-leading scorer last season, while senior Melissa Li and juniors Lauren Hughes and Chloe Lapointe are also key returnees.
"The key to our success will be the communication and teamwork to ensure the girls play as a unit to maximize their potential," Hinsdale Central coach Christopher Ortiz said. "Katrina Geiersbach is back looking to make an immediate impact. Chloe Lapointe's leadership in the goal will be the backbone of our defense. Melissa Li's nose for defense will help contain opposing teams as she defends their hole set."
Hinsdale South netted just four wins last season, but seniors Devan Rospert, Maggie Dunford, Katie Nigohosian and Lily Bone, along with junior Lily Browder, comprise a talented group of veterans.
"We're working hard to keep building the foundation of the water polo program," Hinsdale South coach Carrie Nelson said. "The seniors are the key foundation of our team. Their knowledge and leadership is what makes up the foundation. They're the driving force who have been together for all four years. They're excited and looking forward to having their best season of their careers."
Neuqua Valley had a tough spring last season, but optimism for a better record stems from a solid senior class, according to coach Patrick McKernin.
"Our senior class is great and we're excited to see what they accomplish," he said. "Our keys to success will be learning and using fundamental play."
York is also slated to be a contender for the state championship. Ranked No. 12 in the preseason by illpolo.com, the Dukes loaded up their schedule, especially in the first five weeks, to test themselves. Led by a strong group of juniors, the Dukes return several key players from last season's team.
Metea Valley, which is ranked No. 20 by illpolo.com, is another team with title aspirations due to a seasoned squad armed with motivation. The Mustangs will get a good test in the Naperville Quad this weekend along with hosting Lockport on Monday and traveling to Naperville Central on Tuesday. But replacing third-team all-state selection Anna Scovill is a tough task for the Mustangs.
- Bobby Narang