Ocean View’s girls water polo team played in a second consecutive CIF final Saturday but the Seahawks might be better next season.
Ocean View started only one senior in the Division 7 final against Segerstrom, which claimed the title with a 7-4 victory.
The Seahawks (17-10) started four sophomores, including emerging center Shannon Graham, and two juniors, including goalie Alyssa Welfringer.
The 5-foot-11 Graham drew a penalty shot and at least three other exclusions against Segerstrom.
“We’re not going any where any time soon,” Ocean View coach Melissa Fernandez said. “I told these girls that making it to the finals this year is a huge accomplishment. … These young girls are tough.”
The big question for Ocean View and Segerstrom, and several other contenders from Orange County, is what playoff grouping they will reside in for the 2014-2016 playoff cycle. With a Division 7 championship (Segerstrom) and two consecutive Division 7 runner-ups (Ocean View), the Golden West League could be a candidate to move to perhaps Division 6.
The Southern Section’s recommendations for the next playoff groupings are scheduled to be released March 14 and voted on by the council April 30.
“I’d love to stay in Division 7. I’m happy where we’re at,” Fernandez said. “We’ll definitely be stronger next season,” Fernandez said.
TRINITY LEAGUE TO DIVISION 1?
Santa Margarita senior Haley Wan, who helped the Eagles beat Mater Dei in the Division 2 final for the second consecutive season, wondered if the Trinity League will be moving to Division 1. “I think we’re moving up to Division 1 next year, aren’t we?” she asked. “Right when we (seniors) are leaving.”
BETTER TO BE AWAY
Santa Margarita wore Irvine’s junior varsity caps, white with green numbers, in the Division 2 final. The Eagles thought they were supposed to wear dark caps and only brought their blue caps to the Woollett pool. But Mater Dei was assigned dark caps, so the Eagles borrowed from Irvine.
“We play better away any ways,” said Santa Margarita coach Brian Weathersby, referring to the white caps, traditionally worn by the away team. …
O.C. ALL-STAR GAME SUNDAY
Dave Carlson of Los Alamitos and Scott Hinman of Irvine have been selected as the coaches for Sunday’s 18th O.C. all-star match at 1 p.m. The game’s site hasn’t been determined.
The North will host tryouts at Los Alamitos on Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The South will hold tryouts Thursday at Woodbridge from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
