LJ g water polo: Summary judgment

La Jolla coach Amy Jennings talks to her charges

during a timeout in the first half.

(Photo by Ed Piper, Jr.)

By Ed Piper, Jr.

Like when Will Ferrell, in the Christmas movie "Elf", asks to work in the mailroom at his dad's business, he finds it not much to his liking:

"There's no brightness, and a lot of the people look like they want to hurt me."

This must have been Westview's thought as the visiting Wolverine water polo team underwent a painful surgical procedure by La Jolla in their nonleague match at Coggan Pool Thurs., Dec. 15.

The clouds were gathering for that night's storm, hence the lack of brightness. And from the opening drop, the Vikings' Karli Canale and Ciara Franke looked grim, like they were going to finish somebody off.

Which they did.

On the first play, a Westview swimmer tangled with the focused, unsmiling focused Canale, as they went for the ball dropped at midpool. And after the play, time had to be called as the Wolverine player had to be attended to.

It set a clear signal, and I'm sure she didn't mess with the La Jolla standout the rest of the match.

The Viking executioners built up a 4-0 lead in the first quarter, 7-0 at halftime. The game was decided by then.

In the huddle after the first period, coach Amy Jennings, herself looking quite intent on a decisive result, told her players, "Let's get a few more, then I'm going to start substituting."

La Jolla, which carried a number one ranking last year before falling in the Open Division playoffs, looks as good or better than last year. Canale, who plays on the perimeter, and Franke, who is positioned at the two-meter spot in front of the goal, both are back as seniors and determined.

Some of Jennings' team's scores are annihilations, as they've already won two tournaments to open the season in December: 19-5 over Millikan, 17-2 over El Modena, 12-0 over Rancho Buena Vista, 19-3 over University of L.A. You get the idea.

Jennings, a graduate of San Pasqual and who is still active herself in Masters level play, meanwhile continues to coach Miramar College's team in the fall. She has taken on double duty this school year, adding the La Jolla coaching position this winter.