Cypress HS girls water polo team has an unforgettable season
CYPRESS, Calif. — Saying that the Cypress girls water polo team started with nothing is not quite accurate, but it鈥檚 close. Almost four years ago the Centurion team had some talented athletes with heart, but they had just lost their coaching staff and really had no program to speak of. Then they were introduced to coaches Jeffrey Park and Jason Stone 鈥� two young coaches, one from Cerritos HS and one from Kennedy HS 鈥� eager to create a program rooted in team unity, talent, and a desire to do good, thorough hard work.
Although no one expected much the first year, the team really pulled together to start the process of becoming a team. With two big wins early in their first season against Kennedy and Valencia, the girls would go on to be undefeated in league play their first year together. Against the odds, they were communicating well right out of the gate and the coaches were focused on uniting the girls while helping them build on their strengths. Of course reaching the CIF championships is always the goal, but this being a very young team, they would have to be patient. With a combined season that can be upwards of 28 games long and experienced seniors having just graduated out, time to grow was on their side.
The next two seasons would only get better. Kristi Egusa, mom of team captain (Leila), remembers the moment it all clicked into place coming into the 2021-22 season. Kristi recalls Leila recapping a team meeting where the coaches asked what the team wanted from the season and the seniors said they wanted to win CIF. The girls knew they were talented, but they were also very motivated. They wanted to win it all. After that meeting, the coaches made some great team building moves with the most memorable being a scavenger hunt at Irvine Spectrum.
鈥淭hey had so much fun. The girls just adore each other and love being together as a team. It鈥檚 a very unique relationship鈥hey refer to each other as sisters,鈥� Kristi went on to tell me. 鈥淚t was the beginning of a very special season,鈥� she would add.
The girls didn’t quite make it to their ultimate goal, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t win it all. They made it to the CIF semifinals by beating #2 Camarillo in the quarters, they went undefeated in League play for three consecutive years, they moved up to division 4 by CIF-SS, and they gave their all for their sport 鈥� what an unforgettable season! The thing that really stands out to me, in hearing their story, is how close they became as friends. When time eventually passes, the praise is forgotten, and the dust has gathered on all the trophies, it will be the sister-like relationships that these young ladies have forged that will hopefully be a beacon of what to strive for in life.
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.