Water Polo: Lancers Graduate Large Core, Look to Rebuild

• Head coach

Dave Dooley

• Last Season's record

The Lancers placed fifth in their league during the team's second season.

• Who Lakes loss to graduation

The Lakes girls water polo squad graduated 14 seniors last year.

• Key returning players

This year's returning players are senior captain Krystal Henry, junior Angelica Garza. Lakes senior Perri Petit is starting as goalie this year with fellow seniors Emily Bristow and Alexis Endris find themselves in starting roles for the first time as well.

• Outlook

With so many players graduating, Lakes has to start some first-year players this year, Dooley said. "Freshmen Mikayla Henry, Michaela Lundeen and Sarah Huessman are expected to step up and put in some quality minutes and become real contributors. All three freshmen had solid swimming seasons and will have to get ahead of a steep learning curve if Lakes wants to be successful."

Dooley added that a Columbian Exchange student named Anita Herera is learning the ropes and should become a solid contributor as well.

"The inexperienced players are quickly getting a feel for the game with losses against perennial powerhouse Curtis as well as an experienced Puyallup program and a well-staffed Emerald Ridge team," he said.

• Coaches perspective

"I don't know what to expect this year," Dooley said. "We lost a lot of players and have to rely on girls who really don't even know the rules of the game. Each game will show dramatic improvement. I am excited about watching the growth of our new players and seeing what will happen when they are able to support Henry and Garza, who are capable scorers who can put the ball in the cage from any number of areas in the pool. Petit is showing incredible improvement in the goal and is providing us with a defender that I honestly didn't think I would have back there.