Sister Act

Khorsandi Twins Are Heart and Soul of Pali High Water Polo

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

When it comes to the art of one-upsmanship, identical twins Leah and Eva Khorsandi have it down—but in a good way.

“Yeah, we were very competitive growing up, even to the point of who’s going to get her license first   

(it was Eva),” Leah admits. “We think I’m older but it’s been a secret our whole life—our parents won’t tell us.”

Senior utility players on Palisades High’s girls water polo team, the sisters will try to lead the Dolphins to a second consecutive City Section championship tonight in Valley Glen and it was Eva’s friend and teammate Lila Allen who suggested she try water polo. Now everyone on the squad is glad she said ‘yes,’ especially since water polo was never Eva’s primary sport.

“We’ve never played a team sport before last year so these girls are like my family,” says Eva, who was also junior captain of the swim team last year and swam the 500 freestyle at City Finals. “I’ve been swimming a lot longer but I like the team environment in water polo. My success is their success.”

The two are taking Honors Economics together but were moved to opposite sides of the classroom  because they talk too much.    

“No one understands, but it’s really a healthy competition,” Leah says. “The regional tournament last winter really brought us together, it bonded us and we want to win states this year.”

The 17-year-old Khorsandis live in Brentwood and attended Kenter Canyon Elementary and Paul Revere Middle School. They have been swimming since they were 5 (they have been members on the UCLA Bruins club team) and also played AYSO soccer, tennis and in a basketball league at Barrington Recreation Center. They plan on rooming together in college (why not?) and are considering UCLA, UCSB and UC Berkeley, among other schools.   

“They’ve brought so much positivity to our program,” Pali High head coach Kevin Basurto says. “They’re both hard working and  they give it 110 percent. They’re like the voice of the team, they run the Pali instagram account and along with [fellow senior and captain] Bianca Cherry they’re the glue that holds the team together.”

Leah, who mostly swims 100 freestyle for the Dolphins, most admires her twin’s raw confidence and ability to rally her teammates: “Eva is a great team leader. She’s a real take charge-type person and if we’re struggling, she’s the first to say ‘okay, let’s get open and run our offense.”

And what does Eva appreciate most about Leah?     

“She has the most positive outlook on things—Leah’s the single most positive person I know,” Eva says. “If anyhing bad happens  she won’t let it ruin her day.”

Another City title would put a smile on both of their faces.