Heritage dominating Sunbelt League in girls water polo

Illustration by Kristi Jo Aguirre

 By Doug Spoon, Editor

Finishing the regular league season undefeated, Heritage High’s girls water polo team is seeded No. 1 heading into Tuesday’s game against Hillcrest at Riverside Poly in the Sunbelt League Tournament.

A win on Tuesday would put the Patriots into the tournament championship game on Wednesday and would guarantee them a spot in the CIF playoffs, which begin the following week.

After moving from the Ivy League to the Sunbelt League this season, the Patriots have dominated and spirits are high. As coach Shannon “Lucky” Stephenson said, “The only team in league that can beat us is us.”

With most of the team returning this season, Heritage heads toward the postseason with a wealth of experience. Stephenson is hard-pressed to state which part of the team is the strongest.

“I want to say our defense is our strength, but that creates turnovers that the offense takes advantage of,” he said. “The girls have shown great fortitude and it’s been pretty cool to watch. If we play our game, we should continue our success.”

One of the team’s top players is sophomore goalkeeper Alana O’Neal. In her first year at the position, she has made 227 blocks.

“We lost our goalie from last season and that was our biggest concern,” Stephenson said. “Alana has grit. She wasn’t our strongest treader at first, but she showed tenacity and a great attitude in improving. She thrives on blocking shots.”

Another defensive standout is sophomore Christina Harvey.

“She has been spot on,” Stephenson said. “When we need someone to play against the other team’s dominant player, she holds them down.”

Senior Taylor Gruender is the captain of the team and leads with 65 assists. Stephenson said she also is a phenomenal defender at the set position. In addition, junior Sophia De La Torre leads the team with 65 steals and “has a cannon for an arm,” her coach said.

Sophomore set player Gracie Ledesma has scored 122 goals, breaking her own school record of 108 set last year.

If Heritage beats Hillcrest on Tuesday, the Patriots will face the winner of the Moreno Valley-North game for the tournament championship on Wednesday. The CIF playoffs begin the week of Feb. 3.