The 2023-2024 girls water polo season could be looked at as one for the history books. With a 21-10 winning record throughout all competitions, the girls placed third in CIF.

This season saw a noticeable increase in quality from the team, with their win rate increasing from 58% last season to 68% this season. And this also comes while playing more games, going from playing 24 just last season to playing 31 games this season. 

Other than the team’s win rate increasing, the Cougars also went from second in the league to winning the league for the first time in the team’s history. 

Beyond that, the Cougars made it to the semifinals of CIF and now rank third in their division. This feat is even more impressive considering that just the previous season, the Cougars failed to make it beyond the first round of CIF. 

“I am very proud of everyone and feel we did our best,” freshman Lili Alofaituli, a player for the Cougars, said.

While the team had placed second in the league multiple times, throughout its nearly 15-year history, the team had never managed to clinch the win. Until now that is. The team, beyond just winning the league, won all seven of their league games, managing to remain undefeated in the competition. 

The team, as mentioned above, made it to the semi-finals of CIF, scoring 16 in their first two matches against San Juan Hills and Camarillo, and barely clinching a win in the quarter-finals against Marlborough in a 5-4 game. Unfortunately, the team lost to Palos Verdes 13-6, in the semi-finals. 

“I’m excited how we were the first girls water polo team to win league and also make it that far in CIF. Everyone worked hard and deserved the wins that came with that.” Alofaituli said.