Can Newport Harbor combo win big again?

NEWPORT BEACH - One tucks her curly, blonde hair under a swim cap. The other has straight blonde hair.

One surfs so well, her nickname is Barrel. The other is passionate about her school work.

One is known for her ability to score at 2 meters. The other is known for her aggressive defense.

Yes, Newport Harbor senior water polo standouts Kaleigh Gilchrist and Kate Klippert have contrasting styles. But the longtime friends blend well in the water.

They have united to power Newport Harbor (25-5) into Saturday's CIF-Southern Section Division 1 girls water polo final against No. 1 and defending champion Dos Pueblos (30-0) at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center at 6:30 p.m.

Click here for previews and polls for the finals in Divisions 1 and 2.

The strong-armed Gilchrist leads the Sailors in goals (92) and assists (46).

The aggressive Klippert is the team's top defender and sprinter. On Saturday, she could guard U.S. national team player Kiley Neushul.

"We're excited," Gilchrist said of the final. "We've wanted to do this since we won (Division 1) a couple of years ago."

Gilchrist and Klippert have been linked since Newport Harbor's championship season of 2008. As sophomores, they both started for Coach Bill Barnett.

Gilchrist and Klippert also share the bond of being captains. But the role hasn't been much of a stretch for the girls. They were leaders as 14-and-unders in Newport age-group program.

Gilchrist and Klippert also played together as 10-and-unders.

The girls do, however, have different personalities.

The Cal-bound Klippert lists school as one of her passions. She carries 4.4 grade-point average.

"I'm a little bit of a freak about school," she acknowledged.

Gilchrist holds about a 3.6 grade-point average. One of her passions is surfing. In January, she competed for the United States at ISA world junior championships in New Zealand. She tied for ninth.

Gilchrist plans to pursue professional surfing after graduating from USC.

Klippert, meanwhile, is interested in journalism or pre-med in college.

But for all their differences, Gilchrist and Klippert mix well in and out of the pool.

"We kind of just know when to pass each other the ball," Klippert said. "(Wednesday) before the (semifinals), I was, 'If we're not in sync tonight, we're going to lose.' "

On Saturday, Gilchrist and Klippert will be looking for one more connection, and one more victory.