Water polo secures narrow victories

Posted Oct. 11, 2021

By Graciela Del Rosario and Tristan Hansen

Staff Editors

The boys' and girls’ varsity water polo teams proved victorious against Reynolds in games marked by tight margins and thrilling drama on Oct. 7.

In the boys’ varsity game, Reynolds would open the scoring, putting the ball past junior goalkeeper Kian Pease 15 seconds into the match. Senior Jordan Eastman would equalize the game for DDHS a minute and 39 seconds later, before Pease would come up with a series of big saves in quick succession to keep the score level. Reynolds would eventually retake the lead with 3:10 on the clock, before a flurry of goals, including a DDHS buzzer beater, would result in Douglas ending the first quarter with a 4-3 lead.

David Douglas would come out strong to begin the second quarter, with Junior Johnny Riggs scoring the first goal to put the Scots up 5-3. Reynolds would soon respond, and the 2nd quarter would remain a tense back-and-forth affair until consecutive goals from Eastman, sophomore Bao Vuong, and freshman Isaac Campbell would guarantee DDHS a 10-7 lead to conclude the 1st half.

Reynolds were resurgent in the 3rd quarter, scoring 5 goals within the course of just over two minutes to make it 10-12 before DDHS would finally reply, with senior Tam Nguyen scoring with 2:50 on the clock to reduce Reynolds’ lead to one. This would be the last goal of the 3rd quarter, as it ended 11-12.

The Scots started the 4th quarter with a vengeance as Vuong would score first to tie the scoreline. Reynolds then retook the lead with 5:07 on the clock, before DDHS would once again pull level with a penalty throw about a minute and a half later. Junior Chase Ewell would then score to give DDHS a 14-13 lead with 2:48 on the clock, although Reynolds would score a mere 20 seconds later to tie the game. Pease would then make a huge save at the 1:01 mark to keep the score level, before Campbell would score twelve seconds later to give DDHS a 15-14 lead. This goal would prove decisive, as DDHS would hold onto the ball long enough to finish out the match.

DDHS looked menacing on the counterattack the entire game, particularly during the 4th quarter, creating innumerable chances and scoring multiple goals from quick breaks initiated by the goalkeeper.

“The team did very well. We all definitely thrived as individuals,” Jordan Eastman said of the boys’ performance.

Following a brief break, girls’ water polo was underway. Senior Julie Schwam proceeded to score the first point of the game for DDHS 12 seconds in, and thus began the water polo “tug o’ war.” Reynolds would soon take the lead but junior Holly Lippert drew the score in the second to last minute to make it 3-3, ending the first quarter in a tie.

The second quarter would soon begin and after a bit of back and forth, Reynolds scored the first point two minutes in. Junior Camille Strong was able to retaliate 13 seconds later and scored DDHS their first point of the second quarter. The game became heated as defense on each side were pulled all over the pool and many of the incoming points were either floaters or arched shots, with a few fouls in between. The quarter ended a tight affair with Reynolds scoring their last goal with three seconds remaining, concluding the first half 7-8 Reynolds.

After a goalkeeper substitution and a needed halftime break, the players returned to the swimming pool and DDHS began the third quarter by winning the swimoff. DDHS started to slowly make their comeback as they scored the first goal less than two minutes in, tying the score at 8-8. Many important saves were made by both sides, making the audience increasingly rowdy and antsy. As tension began to rise in the pool building, a timeout was called around two minutes in to discuss possible defensive strategies and reconsider the players’ approach. Once the timeout ended, Reynolds and DDHS entered the tug o’ war stage again and DDHS closed the quarter with a goal from Strong. However, it wasn’t enough as the quarter ended 9-10 Reynolds.

DDHS won the last swimoff as the last quarter began, and the pool building was on fire with tension. DDHS scored the first point a little over a minute in. Reynolds gave DDHS a run for their money, but Schwam swooped in with two consecutive points, giving DDHS a tight lead at the last minute. A timeout was called with eight seconds left and DDHS secured the lead throughout the last few seconds, winning the entire game 12-11 and making the pool building erupt in cheers.

Throughout the four quarters, the feeling was tense across the pool but DDHS was able to pull off their win at the very end.