Looking for big season

Mike Sciacca

The Laguna Beach High girls’ water polo team successfully opened its

2004-05 season Tuesday by holding off host Brea Olinda, 15-12, in

nonleague play.

With several key returners back from last year’s team that

advanced to the semifinal round of the CIF-Southern Section Division

II playoffs, Coach Rick McKee’s squad figures to be a top contender

for both the Pacific Coast League and CIF championships.

Here’s a preview capsule look at the Breakers:

Head Coach: Rick McKee

Year at School: 2nd

League: Pacific Coast

2003-04 record: 18-9 overall

League standing: 2nd

2004 CIF results: Defeated Cypress (10-2) and El Dorado (10-9),

lost to Peninsula (4-2), in Division II.

Returners: Kat Gordon, driver, first-team all-league and all-CIF;

Sr.; Alan Thomson, goalie, second-team all-league and third-team

All-CIF, Sr.; Breanna Dupliesa, two-meter defender, first-team

all-league and second-team all-CIF, Soph.; Jessica McKee, utility,

first-team all-league, third-team all-CIF, Soph.; Addison Doud,

center, Sr.; Allison Wallis, driver, Sr.; Dena Berkson, driver, Sr.;

Shauna Bedheka, driver, Jr.; Megan Vick, driver, Sr.

Newcomers: Erin Reid, driver, Fr.

Team strengths: “We did not graduate anyone form last year’s

team,” McKee said. “Even though we lost a few we are a lot stronger

than last year. With the addition of Erin Reid, a lefty, we will have

a balanced attack that is extremely experienced.”

Coach’s expectations: “We will give Corona del Mar a run for the

league title. Villa Park also has a strong team and will battle with

us for the (CIF) championship.”

Strength of schedule: “It’s a very strong schedule. We will play

everyone in the top six in both Division I and Division I. We are

also going to Santa Barbara in January to play in the Tournament of

Champions and the So Cal Championships in February.”

Next game: at Villa Park Tournament, Dec. 9 to 11

Final comments: “This year promises to be a very exciting year. If

we can keep everyone healthy we should go very deep if not all the

way in the playoffs. Addison Doud is back and feeling good. She and

Kat Gordon will provide the leadership and the experience to really

take this team far.”