SATURDAY’S CIF-SS GIRLS WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Woollett Aquatics Center, Irvine
DIVISION 6
OCEAN VIEW (25-6) VS. PASADENA POLY (25-3), 11:30 a.m.
Outlook: The second-seeded Seahawks have reached a third consecutive section final but will need to beat the top-seeded Panthers to claim their first crown. Poly, also seekings its first title, features two college-bound players in utility Lindsey Kelleher (Princeton) and defender Allison Woo (Brown). The seniors played on Rose Bowl’s 18-and-under club team that claimed gold at the Junior Olympics last summer. Kelleher was selected second-team All-American. Natalia Sanchez-Nigolian, a 6-foot senior, plays goalie for the Prep League champion. The Panthers have two other Rose Bowl club players but Ocean View — the Division 7 runner-up in 2014-13 — also isn’t short on talent or experience. Goalie Alyssa Welfringer, a 5-foot-9, senior anchors the defense while 6-foot center Shannon Graham and swift attacker Elena Isogawa pace the offense. The teams have three common opponents who were notable playoff teams: Santa Monica, Westridge of Pasadena and Schurr of Montebello. The Panthers went a combined 4-0 against the trio while Ocean View finished 2-1 with a loss against Schurr. “Nobody plays for a CIF title on paper,” Poly coach Ryan Katsuyama said. “I anticipate a close game that could go either way.” One of Ocean View’s strengths has been its resiliency, said Seahawks coach Melissa Fernandez.
