After losing several standouts due to graduation, Girls’ Water Polo will look to the play of Captains Kimberly Chang ’08 and Caitlin Feeney ’08 in hopes of making a playoff run. Based upon the opening week of practice, Andover is off to a promising start this season. The team’s first games will be a double header at Deerfield against two of the more talented teams in the league: Deerfield and Loomis Chaffee. Last year the team beat Deerfield in the New England B Tournament in the division’s championship game. Girls Water polo will also be playing Loomis Chaffee. Last year, Loomis was a very fast and strong team, beating Andover convincingly with its speed. Many Andover players were nervous coming into this season after losing key players Kelly Chang ’07 and Devon Zimmerling ’07. However, after a few days of try-outs at the end of winter term, the team appears to be making significant progress. Teammates view Captains Kimberley Chang ’08 and Caitlin Feeney ’08 as great motivators. Captain Chang said, “I’m really honored to be captain of this team, we are already so cohesive. I can’t wait to see how much closer we will get throughout the season.” Coach Efinger also looks forward to the unity of the team encouraging the team to eat dinners together and keep a constant e-mail chain running. Jill Kozloff ’09 stated the team’s goals, saying, “We want to make it to the A tournament this year, since a lot of the teams last year beat us on speed. However, a lot of those key members have graduated so we are hoping to make a triumphant showing this year in the A tournament.” The team this year consists of 20 girls, including three goalies. Several of the girls are returning water polo varsity athletes, and a couple girls have worked up from the junior varsity squad last year. Alanna Waldman ’10, a rookie water polo player, has shown unbelievable progress in her opening weeks playing the sport. Waldman said, “I’m really excited to be on the team this year. I know a lot of the girls from varsity swimming, last season, but I am looking forward to develop a new dynamic, in the same pool.” Waldman is just one of several rookies on the water polo team who should make an immediate impact on the team’s success. Returning players such as Captains Chang and Feeney will be key in guiding these rookie players in the right direction. With great team unity and optimistic expectations, the Andover hopes to get off to a quick start to the spring season ’08 in Saturday’s doubleheader.
