The ETHS girls water polo team has bounced back after a rough 3-5 start to the season, going 3-1 in conference play with a 16-9 record overall.

Head coach Andy Miner attributes the team’s recent success to the effort and reliability that his players have shown all season.

“We came into the season ready to give high effort, day in and out, and have kept that effort high all season,” Miner said. “Our varsity team average attendance is 99 percent, which is the best a group has ever been since I have been coaching.”

Senior captain and star player Halley Seed’s recent return from a finger injury, which sidelined her for the first eight weeks has also contributed to the team’s newfound success.

With her return, fellow captain Sydney Hollingsworth is optimistic about the rest of the season.

“We’ve improved immensely on executing offensive looks and general communication in the water, two areas we struggled with at the beginning of the season,” Hollingsworth said. “Recently everyone has been stepping up, and therefore we’ve had more scoring opportunities.”

These added opportunities helped the Kits qualify for sectionals this year ranked as the 12th best team in Illinois (according to http://www.illpolo.com/).
Seed knows, however, that in order to have a strong showing in the postseason the team still needs to improve in certain areas.

“I think that our biggest weak spot is communication in the pool,” Seed explained. “I think that’ll have a big impact on us either achieving or falling short of our goals.”

Miner agreed, sharing that he believes that if the team can come together, there is no limit to what they can accomplish.

“So far, we have had great individual efforts and moments,” Miner said. “But once we start playing this game as a seven person team, at both ends of the pool, we will be amazed at what we are capable of.”

With the conference tournament quickly approaching, the team looks to put everything together to give themselves the best opportunity to advance. “We are in the phase of the season where we are building everything to be ready for the postseason,” Miner said. “We are finally all healthy so it’s nice to have this time to get ready for sectionals.”

The Kits’ start postseason play next Friday, May 3, at Glenbrook North.