SRV boys water polo preview: Speed Key to 2010 Success

School: San Ramon Valley High School
Sport: Boys Water Polo
Coach: Corey Dolley
2009 record: 18-6
Key returners: Sam Yorke, Nick Candau
Top newcomer: Tyler Martin
Quote: "We have a lot of speed. We like to use pressure to create turnovers and push the ball up the pool." – Coach Corey Dolley

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If you are planning on attending a match involving the San Ramon Valley High boys water polo team this fall, here's a piece of advice.

Do not blink. Do not get up to make a food stand run either. Whatever you do, don't do anything that will draw your attention away from the pool. Because if you do you are liable to have missed several scoring opportunities, a couple of goals and a few steals before you get your eyes back on the pool.

The Wolves (18-6 and third in East Bay Athletic League play last year) are going to be fast and their opponents had better be ready for it.

"We have a lot of speed (on this team)," said coach Corey Dolley during a recent practice. "We like to use pressure to create turnovers and push the ball up the pool."

The key to the Wolves success will be goalie Sam Yorke, the Wolves last line of defense should their opponent defeat the pressure defense and fire off a shot on net. But like his teammates out in the water, pressure is the name of Yorke's game.

"He's more of an attacking goalie," Dolley said.

Yorke's play will be key to the Wolves' potential successes in 2010 because not only is Yorke responsible for stopping the opposing offense, but starting the Wolves fast-break offense as well.

"He's quarterbacks our counterattack," Dolley said. "Hopefully he steps into the role. I think he will."

Once Yorke has done his job in net and fires his outlet pass out to start the Wolves attack the pressure falls on the opposing defense and it will be an oppressive weight to bear.

On offense the Wolves present a difficult challenge in that there is not one single player to focus on in order to stop their offense. When playing San Ramon Valley you must stop the entire team.

Juniors Justin Roberto and Nick Candau will rotate in the two-meter slot while drivers Johnny Spires and Tyler Martin will also be scoring threats on the wing. In short, the Wolves can score from just about anywhere in the pool stretching the defense out and taking full advantage of the gaps.

"They all score pretty evenly," Dolley said.

The Wolves start the 2010 season on Sept. 16^th against Foothill but know that in league play they will have to get past DeLaSalle if they are going to meet the goal their coach has in mind for this team.

"Our goal is to win the section," Dolley said.

For a team used to putting pressure on its opponents they will find out if they can handle the pressure of their coach's expectations.    

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