Lunas water polo overcomes Maui Warriors

Freshman+Selafina+Ngalu+launches+ball+attempting+a+goal.+Lahainaluna+won+Saturdays+water+polo+game+against+the+Maui+Warriors%2C+8-3.

Photo by Deven Aruda

Freshman Selafina Ngalu launches ball attempting a goal. Lahainaluna won Saturday’s water polo game against the Maui Warriors, 8-3.

The Lahainaluna water polo team beat Kamehameha Maui, 8-3, Saturday Feb. 25 at Pi’ilani Aquatic Center in the Maui Warriors’ second official game of the season.

The game began with Luna Eva Olson being ejected and the Lunas scoring the first goal. The second goal was also scored by Lahainaluna’s senior Julia Bianco. Bianco scored 2 of the 8 goals the Lunas made.

By the second period the Warriors got their first point from senior Nikki McGuire.

Senior Kūlia Fernandez guards Luna Alicia Wintermeyer.
Photo by Deven Aruda
Senior Kūlia Fernandez guards Luna Alicia Wintermeyer.

After the Lunas made their third point there was a 5-meter penalty called against them, and senior Quinn Shiraishi landed the ball in the goal, which gave the Warriors their second point. As both teams became more aggressive McGuire was ejected from the game.

“There’s definitely a good friendship that’s going on between Kam[ehameha] and Lahainaluna for a long time; so we just love playing you girls,” Olson said.

She said the game had high energy. Also, with the many new Lunas who came out for water polo, now her team has the opportunity to switch out people more often to avoid getting tired, unlike last year when their team was small, and all the players needed to stay in the water for longer periods.

The quick hustle of the Luna girls contributed to acquiring all of their points. Senior Alicia Wintermeyer scored 5 goals, most during the third period.

Near the end of the game, KSM senior Tiyanni Mahi made the last goal of the game, which ended 8-3.

Kamehameha’s water polo assistant coach Nicki Barsamian said the girls need to get more in the game mentally, and that they’ll work on that more.

The Warriors’ next water polo game is Tuesday Feb. 28 at Sakamoto Pool against Baldwin High School at 4 p.m.