MSJ Water Polo sweeps Homecoming Games, defeating American High School

By Staff Writers Joseph Miao & Aarav Vashisht

Applause echoed across the MSJ pool as MSJ Varsity Boys and Varsity Girls Water Polo secured two consecutive season wins against American High School on September 16 for their inaugural, and MSJ’s second, Homecoming game.

As students strolled from the Mini Gym to the stands, the two Boys teams sectioned off to their respective sides, each huddling up and delivering their team chants. The faceoff commenced with a back-and-forth exchange between the teams. Throughout the first quarter, the match remained very tight, with neither team finding its footing until the end. Entering the second quarter, the score was tied 2-2, with special blocks from Co-Captain Goalie Senior Aditya Narula helping keep the score close. The intensity of the game ramped up in the middle of the second quarter as MSJ clinched their first lead of the match, 4-3, after Co-Captain Danny Luo and Driver Junior Chasen Lam each scored. With every goal, the crowd erupted in cheers and chants, motivating the team’s successful performance. “Seeing the crowd cheering us on throughout the match definitely motivated us to play better. The attendance was crazy and we were motivated to win,” Lam said. 

During halftime, each team returned to their tents as the Homecoming Court nominees strode across the pool in personalized silk sashes and performed their court skits. Following the break at halftime, the Warriors returned to the game determined to not let the other team get ahead. “Although we were tired at the half, we still wanted to keep our lead,” Lam said. The team scored two additional points to solidify their position and gained a commanding 6-3 lead entering the fourth quarter. 

During the final quarter, MSJ’s crowd stood up in unison as the score became closer. Critical blocks from Narula elicited cheers from the audience. In the final minutes of the game, both teams scored four goals, with MSJ prevailing 10-7. “When I got out of the pool and walked by the crowd it felt so amazing and relieving to see everyone who came to see us play,” Narula said.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., Varsity Girls Water Polo began warming up for their own game. The Warriors took an early lead of 2-0. They held onto their lead and comfortably expanded it, ultimately ending the first quarter 6-2. Co-Captain Senior Trisha Karkera and Center Forward Sophomore Hana Lach each scored six goals throughout the game. Although the second quarter was filled with exciting offensive plays, including a goal from Karkera and a spin move from Lach, the team’s defensive presence was equally formidable. With only a few seconds to spare before halftime, Senior Goalie Katelynn Tran sprinted across the pool in determination and scored a buzzer-beater goal, giving the Warriors a dominating 12-4 lead entering the second half. “Although we were tired towards the end, we tried to keep our morale up because we wanted to prove to everyone that we could beat them,” Karkera said. American scored one additional goal in the second half and the Warriors blew out American 17-5 to end the game.

As the players emerged from the water once the game finished, MSJ students and parents rushed toward the players in celebration, high-fiving the teams for their victories. “Seeing our friends and school show up for our team gave us the drive to close out the game. The home crowd made me proud to be an MSJ Warrior and showcased our school unity,” Narula said.