LJ g water polo: Felt

Multiple Vikings (dark caps) line up on defense

in game against Westview at Coggan Pool

Dec. 16. La Jolla won that contest, 12-5.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

December--now last year--was a productive month for La Jolla's girls water polo team. The Vikings won the El Nino Tournament, appropriately named with the coming rain forecast, behind Lexi Atwell's MVP play in the tourney in Irvine.

Karli Canale scored six goals in a 9-4 win over Arroyo Grande in the championship game, 19 in the whole tournament.

"We have a lot of great players playing to their strengths so that their team succeeds," said Coach Keller Felt.

Captains Kira Bruno, Claire Andrews, and Atwell are showing the way in leadership intangibles.

Canale leads La Jolla (11-0) in goals, Atwell in drawn kick-outs, Ciara Franke in steals, and Andrews in assists.

"We also have impact players that may not be reflected on stats," said Felt. "Leslie Rendon, Bruno, and Sydney Boland are all talented players that create a lot of our offense because they are quick and active throughout the game."

Work in goal has been solid, too. "I have also been very impressed with our two goalies, Bennett Bugelli and Summer Broekema," said the second-year coach, assisted by long-time LJHS coach Tom Atwell. "They have been the backbone of our defense this season."

Felt, a former Viking water polo star, goes way out on a limb to say this squad is "the best team La Jolla has ever had." But she realizes, with league play opening up this week, "Now comes the part where they need to believe it."

Atwell led La Jolla in drawn kick-outs in the El Nino Tournament, as well as having a large impact on defense.

"A great thing about our team is that we are well-rounded and the girls play for each other," said Felt.

"We need to continue to play our game despite being faced with more challenging opponents."