Slinging her arm back to make the perfect shot, freshman Mira C. launches a ball toward the goal. No matter how far the opposing goalkeeper stretches out her hand, the ball is far from reach and flies into the net. Mira does this four more times throughout the Tigers’ second round CIF game against San Dimas High School. Pushing defenders out of the way and swimming toward the goal, it’s no surprise the freshman superstar leads the Tigers in goals this season. She was also named to the Prep League Second Team group and labeled Westridge’s “Most Valuable Player.” 

On Friday, February 8, San Dimas High School ended Westridge’s first CIF Water Polo postseason run since the 2017/2018 season. Finishing 3rd in the Prep League, after a season cut short by the Southern California wildfires, the Tigers competed in Division 4, and won their first game against Tesoro High School with a score of 12–5. Eventually losing to San Dimas 9–13, the team that went on to win the division championship, the Tigers fought hard to keep a tight score. 

This playoff run was in stark contrast from the team’s season last year, as they finished with a Prep League record of 0–10. Last season, their game against Mayfield Senior School was the closest they came to winning—and even then, they lost 14–7. Outside the League, the Tigers only won two games, one of them a forfeit. Concluding their 2024 season, their overall record stood at 2–17, or a .105 winning percentage. 

This year, the Tigers held a 10–5 Season record, with notable wins against teams like Mark Keppel High School (20–0) and rival Mayfield Senior School (15–11). Moreover, the shortened season played into their Prep League record, which stood at only 2–3. While the team played league champions Polytechnic School twice, they only played Mayfield Senior School and La Salle College Preparatory High School once each. 

Regardless of any records or statistics, the team was coordinated, spirited, and passionate. 

Beyond the dynamic addition of Mira, the development of other players like Sloan C. ’26 was key. Sloan was the Tigers’ goalie and this year’s defensive MVP. With 10 saves in the game against San Dimas, her goaltending helped keep the game close. 

In addition, the return of Skye I. ’26, who starred on the team in her freshman year and went on hiatus in her sophomore year due to a series of concussions, helped the team both offensively and defensively. Her versatility and experience as a player continued to serve as guidance for her teammates. 

All in all, what made this team special was the number of smart and experienced players they have. Four of them earned Prep League All Team Honors, a formal recognition from the Prep League for their success: Sloan and MG on the first team and Skye and Mira on the second team. 

However, individual skill isn’t enough to make a team good. The team’s closeness and chemistry allowed them to work together in the pool to combine their individual talents and create a stronger team. 

Mira said, “It was such a pleasure being on this team. I think we grew a lot together.”

Thinking about the future, water polo captain MG N. ’25 believes the team’s unity will continue to be the driving factor in their success. “We’re very bonded as a team, and so I think they’re going to be able to do a really good job keeping the team close,” the captain said. 

For freshman Mira, who still has three years to shine alongside a continuously growing and strengthening team, a return to CIF is an expectation. Mira said, “Next year I really do have high hopes for us getting to CIF finals and maybe even winning the whole competition.”