Coaches: The 2010 season will be Peter Galli's 12th as head coach of the Drake Water Polo Lady Pirates. During his tenure the Lady Pirates have consistently contended for the MCAL crown.
Highlights of the 2009 season: Last season, the Pirates compiled a 17-9 record and were lead by graduated senior Kaitlyn Lo. Over the course of her career at Drake, Lo was named first team MCAL All League three times, and received Player of the Year Honors in her senior year. Additionally, Lo earned herself a spot on the NCAA national runner-up, Stanford water polo team as a freshman this fall. She will join her sister Alyssa, another Drake legend.
Final 2009 MCAL standing: The tea, finished third in MCAL behind Marin Catholic and Tamalpais. The team competed in the North Coast Section playoffs, where they were ranked an eighth seed and won their first round matchup against College Park High School. The Pirate's season ended in the second round against the East Bay juggernaut -- and eventual champion -- Monte Vista. Galli characterized Drake's 2009 campaign as "very successful," noting with pride the team's NCS berth.
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Returning Players: Coach and players agree that filling the void left by Lo's graduation is going to be a difficult task.
"She was the primary focus of our offense last year," Galli said. Much like their male water polo teammates, the girls team has a lot of questions about how this year is going to play itself out.
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"This year, there is no single dominant player," Galli said. "A lot of our offense was built around and through Kaitlyn." That being said, the team has a solid group of returning players who should be able to shoulder the load in Lo's absence. "I am curious and excited to see who will step up," said Galli.
Senior Lauren Norlock is also very aware of the loss of Lo's offense; but she is excited about the coming year. When asked about her expectations for this year, Norlock expressed some uncertainty, but did note the enthusiasm amongst her teammates, even after just a few practices. "Everyone wants to be there," she said.
Norlock went on to explain how, in many ways, the future is looking bright for the Drake girls team. "We have a ton of freshmen who have played water polo and swam before," she said. Some of these underclassmen play water polo and swim for other teams year round. These experienced players add a dimension to this year's team that has not been there in previous years. According to Norlock, it has not been uncommon in prior years for girls to come out for the Drake team without any water polo, or even competitive swimming, experience.
Coach Galli will rely on a handful of other experienced students to lead this year's team. Bailey Kinsolving, Brookie Hollander, and Nina Wheeler make up the Pirates talented and experienced junior class. Norlock, coming off an All League season, will lead the team with fellow senior, Wendy Barbero. With that crew and the fresh crop of seasoned underclassmen, the Lady Pirates are looking forward to yet another successful season.