After winning a league title in 2009, the La Jolla Country Day boys water polo team is excited about the direction it’s heading in. “That was a big deal and a goal for us and the school,” said head coach Steve Traverso, adding that it was the first aquatic championship in school history. With nearly the entire starting lineup intact, there doesn’t seem to be much reason LJCD can’t keep setting records. After bowing out to University City in the first round of the CIF playoffs last year, Traverso has raised the bar for his expectations. “We would love to win league again and I think we have a good shot to,” he said. “And we’ll try to make it to the quarterfinals (at CIF).” Traverso knows repeating won’t be easy. He said stout Central League rivals Mission Bay and Mira Mesa loom large. The Torreys face off against Mission Bay on the road Oct. 20 and again at home on Nov. 5. The Torreys have looked great early, jumping out to a flying 7-0 start that included a 5-0 mark at the South San Diego Invitational. The formidable play of four seniors who joined the team three years ago when Traverso took over the program has made a big difference in the squad’s maturity and confidence. Traverso said the senior group, which includes Liam Devine, Nick Augustine, Jack Hipkins and Donald Dean, has helped lay the path for the future. The program qualified for CIF just one time in its relatively young history before doing so in each of the past two seasons, a feat the fourth-year coach can hang his hat on. Although he cites depth as one of the squad’s biggest strengths, Traverso said there is no denying how essential Devine has been to the success of the team as it continues to grow. “He’s our leader on offense,” Traverso said. “He was our leading goal scorer last year and he’s hands down our most experienced player.” The captain has carried the Torreys offense at times, scoring five or six goals in any given game. Josh Richmond has also been an integral piece of the puzzle this season, taking over goalkeeping duties. As the only fresh face on the starting roster this year, the junior has impressed coaches and teammates while playing arguably the most important position in the pool. “He’s stepped it up big time,” Traverso said. “He brings a lot of fire to the game and he works extremely hard. He has become a really solid goalie this year.” Richmond notched 12 saves on Sept. 17 in a 10-6 victory over Serra. The Torreys’ season rolls on with an upcoming home game at the Jewish Community Center against Clairemont Oct. 7 and a road test versus Mira Mesa Oct. 12.