LJ g water polo: Jennings' view from poolside

Sophomore attacker Natalie Dimeo (black cap #11) 
faces pressure from a Valhalla defender
in 8-3 scrimmage win. 
(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

On a 59-degree, blustery and dark day, La Jolla's girls went through the machinations of an 8-3 win in a non-official scrimmage against visiting Valhalla.

Three-year starter Shauna Franke in goal for the Vikings for the first half meant no Norsewomen were able to break through for a goal. That's reassuring.

Jess Newell, a fellow senior, on attack for fourth-year coach Amy Jennings is another welcome sign. The weaponized perimeter player dipped in for a goal late in the third quarter, but by then La Jolla, unpolished but striving, led by a dominant 6-1.

"I saw a lot of potential," said Jennings, working with "super assistant" Tom Atwell over from the boys' program at poolside this year. She acknowledged that the rough form of the offense and defense can be pretty normal at this stage of the preseason.

The Vikings, with another scrimmage Sat., Nov. 23 against West Hills at home, don't play a real game until Dec. 6, so there is a lot of time to go.

"We're still (in the stage) of playing everyone, and getting different mixes of girls and positions," she said, heavy jacket and baseball cap keeping her somewhat warm on a chilly day.

Going through her roster mentally--she said she will keep 16 athletes on the varsity, "because of the talent"--Jennings counted seven seniors and seven sophomores, with two juniors. A visitor called it a "sandwich team".

La Jolla, 17-11 last year, most of their matches against top teams, defeated Cathedral Catholic 8-5 in the Open Division quarterfinals Feb. 7. The Vikings fell to Bishop's, the eventual CIF champion, 14-10 in the semifinals.

Western League play was bruising, with only three opponents, playing two rounds. Jennings' troops were 1-6 for that slate of games. The win in the playoffs over the Dons brought some vindication. Bishop's, their cabinet not bare, gave no ground.

In the scrimmage against Valhalla, senior Paige Olson scored back-to-back goals in the first period for a 3-0 lead. Gavin Olson, whose boys team plays Fri., Nov. 22, in the Southern California Regionals against Westview (but up in Huntington Beach), said, "That's my sister," as he kept score under the protective white tarp still set up on the pool deck from the San Diego Section boys playoffs.

Lulu Hirschfield, a returning sophomore, then scored consecutive goals in the second and third quarters.

Another one of the seven sophomores, Stella Chopskie, showed her offensive chops with goals for 7-2 and 8-2 leads in mop-up time late in the unofficial game.

"Jess Newell, a four-time varsity player, is going to be one of our leaders," said Jennings. "We had some strong players last year (Katy Koenig was a forceful team leader the last two years) and Jess was kind of support to them. Now she'll be more out front as a leader.

"Shauna will be a leader, returning in goal. She's a senior, starting for her third season.

"They (both Newell and Franke) are also looking at playing at the next level (in college), which adds to the motivation," said Jennings.

"The sophomores' role? Half were on varsity last year--four of them are coming back as returners. Their contribution to the team is going to be significant (despite their age). Even though they're sophomores, they're going to be expected to 'play up'."

The winter sports season is now compacted more with an earlier start to accommodate state playoffs. "We're squeezing our cross-league games in. We have three games one week. We have to fit our cross-league games in where we can. In January we play in three tournaments, and we play league games (so that doesn't provide any leeway).

"In cross-league games, we play Torrey Pines, Clairemont, Vista, El Camino, and Westview. I try to hit up some other good teams, then other Division 1 teams not in our league. Also, those coaches and programs who have respect for our team, I like to work out a game for them."

Jennings coached at Miramar College for 12 years. She has coached for a total of 21 years. She played water polo at San Pasqual High, graduating in 1998. She went on to play at Palomar College, then club ball while a student at San Diego State. She still plays for Darkside Water Polo.