The Dragon girls water polo team made it to the postseason this year, opening the state tournament with a 14-1 win over Austin McNeil, followedbrby a 12-9 overtime win over The Woodlands, an 18-7 semi-final win over DentonbrGuyer, and finishing with an 11-8 win over Clear Springs to claim the firstbrever TISCA State Water-Polo Championship in Carroll High School history.
Thisbrwas also the very first time in the 43-year history of the TISCA Girl'sbrState Water-Polo tournament. that a Team from North Texas has won the Girl'sbrTeam Water-Polo State Championship.
DragonbrGirls representing Southlake Carroll included:
- AnabrWarner, goalie, 2nd Team All-State
- AshleybrBaker
- GabibrGervasi, 1st Team All-State
- ErinbrWeisert, 1st TeambrAll-State
- KatiebrNedrow, 2nd Team All-State
- SophiabrTorres
- GabibrMondragon
- ClairebrPoole
- TaylorbrSchimek
- MarinabrNelson
- SummerbrMeyers
- SabrinabrMarch
- NathaliebrMarch
- MirandabrGardner
- Valeria Aceves, Manager
Head coach Joey Yglesias took some time to chat with us about his team's achievements this year.
Southlake Style: This is the first time in school historybrthe girls have won state. Can you talk about the tenacity of this team? Howbrspecial it is? What it took to accomplish this feat?
Joey Yglesias: The biggest factor, I feel, that contributed to our successbrthis season is hard work these girls put in both in season, and in thebroffseason. Our high school season only lasts 3 months, so any work they can dobrin the offseason is a huge asset. All 14 girls play on a year round club team,brand more importantly they play on the same club team. Several of these girlsbrhave been playing together for 4-5 years now. They all know what theirbrteammates are capable of, and can use that knowledge to make adjustments duringbrthe game.
SS: Four girls made all-state honors. Can youbrtalk about them individually and what they mean to the team?
Yglesias: The four girls who made all state were Gabi Gervasi (1stbrteam), Erin Weisert (1st Team), Katie Nedrow (2nd Team), and Ana Warner (2ndbrTeam). While all of our girls are very capable water polo players, these fourbrgirls have proven time and time again that they can take control of any game.brGervasi, Weisert, and Nedrow together lead the team in goals, steals, andbrpersonal fouls drawn. The three of them together can make a huge impact.
Warnerbr(our goalie, Sophomore) has proven that she is one of the best goaltenders inbrthe state, with over 90 saves this season. Nedrow (Junior), our center, hasbrbeen playing since her freshman year; and commands respect in the pool.brDefenses will often have to double team her, lest they give up goals or bebrforced to commit a personal foul.
Weisert (Sophomore), is by far our bestbrshooter. If her defender is not playing very aggressive press defense, she WILLbrscore. There are also very few goalies in the state who can block her shots.brWeisert's shooting percentage at the state tournament was about 95%.
Gervasibr(Freshman), is new on the team, but has been playing since she was 11 yearsbrold. She is our best defensive player, and is capable of making the clutchbrsteal or shot block. Both Weisert and Gervasi have been invited to USA WaterbrPolo's National Team Selection Camp.
SS: This is the first time in history a NorthbrTexas team won state. I saw some pretty reputable squads represented in thebrtournament. Can you talk about the overall competition and the ability tobrovercome tough opponents to achieve this historic title?
Yglesias: For the past 25 or so years, the state tournament has beenbrdominated by teams from Houston, before that San Antonio was the dominantbrforce. North Texas has fallen short in the past; however, each year we havebrcontinued to close the gap. This year we were finally able to overtake the Houstonbrteams, and I believe that power is going to be more evenly distributed formbrhere on out.
SS: Talk briefly about the seniors you'll losebrto graduation. Are any playing collegiately? Will the team have to go through abrbig transition? Who do you expect to step up next year to fill the shoes ofbryour top senior leaders?
Yglesias: None of our seniors are playing for an NCAA program, howeverbrI do believe that a few of them will be playing club water polo in college. Ibrdo not see us going through a really difficult transition next year. Any timebrplayers graduate, it effects the team; however, we have a very young andbrexperienced team, and I feel like everyone will be looking to step up andbr(Hopefully) repeat our state title next year.
SS: Talk a bit about the boys'brteam season.
Yglesias: The boys were stuck with a rough spot in thebrbracket. They lost 11-7 to The Woodlands in the quarter final (The Woodlandsbrwent on to place 2nd), before defeating Clear Lake 12-4 for 5th place.
We had 2brboys make All-State, Sophomore Zach Lowery (1st team) and Senior Kyle (McCall).
In my opinion, this was the strongest Boys' team Carroll has ever had (despitebrour 5th place finish). We will be graduating a few players who make abrdifference on the team; however, like the girls, we do have several youngerbrplayers who are ready to step up and fill their shoes.
For more information, visit the team's website at slcwaterpolo.shutterfly.com.
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