It was a season to remember for the Grossmont High girls’ water polo team and head coach Danielle Cook.

The Lady Foothillers went undefeated in Grossmont Hills League play. They ended up ranked third in the Open section of CIF San Diego, making it to the finals against The Bishop’s School.

While losing in the finals, this year’s team made it the furthest any Grossmont Union high school team had before. They also went to states for the first time in the girls’ program history.

“There are so many things that made this group special,” Cook stated. “One of the things is that this group has been playing together for three years. That is a lot of time to bond and get to know each other. This group has been through great seasons and seasons where we were not as successful, so they understood how important every game and practice was. These athletes wanted to win and were willing to work harder every day. As a coach, this makes my job easier. The level of intelligence for the game we had was high. Each player was able to contribute ideas and new things to help each other improve.”

According to Cook, the goals they set as a team to begin the season was to win the league undefeated and be ranked in the Open section of the CIF San Diego again.

While this season was quite successful, the focus turns to next season.

“We will lose six seniors from this group of 14,” Cook commented. “We hold the same standards from season to season no matter what players graduate. We expect to have a team with great fundamentals and continue to be a high-ranking team in San Diego.”

As Cook sees it, the team still has an amazing group of athletes who were part of the starting lineup as well as players who have already begun to train for next season.

Among the key team members this past season was three-year varsity goalie and senior Erica Neri.

“I walked onto Grossmont’s pool deck not knowing what I was getting myself into,” Neri remarked. “I was a freshman that wanted to try something new to see if I like playing a sport in high school.”

Neri noted she was immediately acknowledged by her coaches and team with such love and was a goalie not knowing what she would become or even think to continue.

“I started to love the feeling of adrenaline during game days and how I felt blocking a ball for my teammates,” Neri continued. “I’d have to say this was the best season I have ever had. Going undefeated in league and going to state was an amazing accomplishment for me and my team. My coaches and team have shaped and helped me grow into who I am today and I couldn’t thank them enough for it. I have never been consumed with so much love and energy until I met this group of girls.”

For any girls interested in trying out for the team next season, Neri advises them to always be positive to those around you and for yourself.

“You’ll never know, you might love it and create so many fantastic memories with the most amazing people just like I did,” Neri added.

Another key piece of the team’ success was four-year varsity utility player and fellow senior Katie O’Laughlin. She is the career leading scorer for girls’ water polo at the school.

“Out of all four of my high school water polo seasons, this year was by far my favorite,” O’Laughlin remarked. “It’s extremely rare to come across a women’s sports team where everyone gets along. Our team had an incredible bond that secured our success this year. To be able to be a part of a program that has excelled and positively changed so rapidly has been an experience I will carry with me throughout my life.”

For O’Laughlin, she indicated she’d never been a part of a team that was so driven and had such a strong will to win every game.

“Being able to play a role on such a bonded and goal-oriented team was an experience that I will remember and cherish forever,” O’Laughlin stated. “This drive to win, alongside our team’s strong connection both inside and outside of the pool contributed to our team’s record-breaking success this season.”

While she will graduate and move on, O’Laughlin hopes to see many girls trying out for the program in the seasons to come.

“I encourage incoming freshmen to come and try water polo because it’s an amazing way to meet new people and stay in great shape,” O’Laughlin added. “Grossmont’s water polo team has a way of lifting up everyone on the team and making everyone rise to the occasion.”

For any Grossmont High girls thinking of coming out for the team next season, Cook said everyone is welcome.

“We are very fortunate to have an amazing aquatics program here at Grossmont and because of that we welcome anyone even if they don’t have previous experience,” Cook said. “Our coaching staff is able to teach new players the ins and outs of water polo so anyone can feel confident playing in the games. We want hard-working people who are willing to try something new.”

– Reach editor Dave Thomas: [email protected].

(Photo courtesy Grossmont High School yearbook)