In the seven years of Girls varsity water polo, Ripon hasn’t been much of a threat to their competitors in the Valley Oak League. However this year, that all changed. The 2019 Girls Varsity Water Polo team went undefeated, bringing home their first league championship in Ripon High history.

The team has stayed dedicated to the sport by keeping themselves conditioned and gaining experience in their off season. When asked what makes them stronger as a team, Molly Burton said,

“This team is stronger than in previous years because we’ve played longer together and we all equally have more experience and more trust with each other,” said Captain Molly Burton.

It’s not to say Ripon came to victory without a few bumps in the road. Like any other team, they have strengths and weaknesses. Madyson Valencia, the Girls Varsity goalie spoke on the difficulties faced by the team,

“I would say just coming together and actually scoring the ball. I feel like we used to be scared to win and this year it’s actually like, oh we can win, it’s like a breakthrough,” said Goalie Madyson Valencia.

As a focused team, they grew closer together and created a new dynamic, one that they hope will live on in years to come.

“I think we are harder on each other because we expect more from each other. I think that’s a good thing because it’s good to be hard on other people with constructive criticism because that will make them better and in return it will make you better,” said Burton

As the season draws to a close, the girls look back on their long journey. Senior and four year varsity athlete Eleanor Tran describes the team in one word: determined.

“I would describe the team as determined. Everyone had the desire to come to practice and get better every single day, that’s what made us so good,” said Eleanor Tran.