Coaches: Jordan Jaime (head coach), Sergio Dorrego (assistant coach), Andrea Lantz (assistant coach)

Top Returning Players: Joshua Kwak (12), Scott Lee (12), Thomas Oltman (12), Samuel Yun (11)

Top Newcomers: Cassius Hong (12), Justin Lee (10), Ethan Park (10), William Ryoo (10) 

Last Season: The boys water polo team finished 1-3 in the Freeway League, placing fifth. With an overall record of 10-18, they were unable to qualify for CIF-SS preliminaries. Because of their performance, the team was moved down to the North Hills League.

Outlook: After failing to qualify last season for CIF-SS preliminaries for the first time since 2022, the Lancers are determined to make their way to the playoffs.

“We [definitely] want to make CIF,” Jaime said. “Last year was the first time in a while that we didn’t qualify, so these guys, especially the seniors, are really motivated to see themselves all the way to the finals if possible.”

Yet, with a roster made up primarily of underclassmen, Jaime said the team’s focus will be on building experience, with hopes of returning to the Freeway League next season.

“Anytime you have a young team, you want to get them as much experience as possible,” he said. “Because of that, it’s definitely going to be difficult at first, but we have a really strong class of seniors who have shown leadership skills and are very willing to teach those younger than them.”

Utility player Scott Lee, a three-year varsity athlete, added that while the team lacks experience compared with others, practices have helped compensate by building confidence and team chemistry.

“Training was pretty tiring but also very rewarding,” Scott Lee said. “The team chemistry is really good this year, even better than last year; we are all pretty close friends and mentally in a good state with high morale.” 

Right-wing player Kwak echoed that sentiment.

“I would describe the team chemistry this year as the best it has been in my high school career,” Kwak said. “Our coach repeats the saying ‘work hard then play hard,’ and I think we all live by that, practicing hard together, then playing and joking around after.”

He said his personal goal is to earn the title of Most Valuable Player while helping the team secure wins. Similar to Scott Lee, Kwak believes that the team’s training helped group coordination and unity.

That effort — players and Jaime hope — will prevent a repeat of last year’s struggles.

“We didn’t have the required wins or league placement to stay in the Freeway League,” Jaime said. “But these kids are very motivated and dedicated, and that makes it pretty easy to work with them.”

The team now faces Sonora High School (8-8), Cypress High School (8-6), El Modena High School (5-8) and Pacifica High School (2-10) in the new league. 

“I feel really good about our new league as it gives everyone a more competitive chance to win every year, although it’s weird not to see some of the same faces every year,” Yun said. “I think Sonora [High School] will be our toughest league matchup this year as their new coach has really turned their program around.”  

The Lancers will play their first league match at home on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 4 p.m. against El Modena High School.