Splashing Debut

Pali High Water Polo Dominates Banning in Western League Opener at Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

When Palisades High’s girls water polo coach Kirk Lazaruk was asked shortly after Monday’s Western League opener how good his team will be this season, leading scorer Leighanne Estabrook overheard and chimed in: “Better than last year!”

That exemplifies the enthusiasm the Dolphins have for a journey they hope will culminate in their first City Section title. Having lost in the finals four times in five years, they are tired of being the bridesmaid, not the bride.

“We’re a really young team so everything has to come out of our defense,” said Lazaruk, who piloted Palisades to the championship game against Eagle Rock last winter in his first season at the helm. “We’re totally different than last year, we only have two seniors, so when it comes to City I have no idea. To be successful we need to be a driving team. If we’re static we’re going to be in trouble.”

Lazaruk had to be encouraged by the Dolphins’ 4-0 record at the Burbank Classic—Palisades’ first tournament title in five years.

“We were down 4-0 against San Marino in the third game and came back to win, then won a very physical game against Monrovia  in the final,” Lazaruk said. “On Saturday our JVs won two games there, which is great since we just started the JV program last year.”

The outcome was never in doubt against Banning on Monday at Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center, where the Dolphins began defense of their Western League title with a 19-7 romp.

Leading the way Monday was Leighanne Estabrook, who will be called upon to anchor the offense in the absence of last year’s scoring leader Jackie Au, now a freshman at Whittier College.

Estabrook scored five goals, Cynthia Garcia had four, Anna Clements, Maxine Eschger and Sydney Brouwer each had two and Charlize Samperio, sisters Melissa and Emily Bunnapradist and Sophie Levy all added one as Palisades outscored the Pilots 9-1 in the third quarter to pull away.

Goalies Chloe Berrisford and Jessie Taft each had two saves.

Freshman Marieka Possman, a club playerfor Westside Aquatics, will be a key contributor along with twins Ally and Sammy Stahl.

“Everyone played half a game today,” Lazaruk said. “There are different ways to communicate. It’s all about improving our I.Q.”

Palisades is back in the pool Jan. 19 at the Oxnard Tournament.