After a rocky first season, Oak Park High School boys water polo are coming into this year with a new approach. Last year was the advent season for the team, in which they faced many challenges and ended their first ever year with a record of 2-6. 

“Our first season a lot of people didn’t know how to play, but this season we are getting a lot of people returning from last year and some new people from the club I play at,” junior Trey Williams said. “Should be a little easier. We can run more plays, I’m very excited about that.”

Originally, the team didn’t actually have enough players. But after winning two games against Moorpark, coach Ricky Mulcahey has a positive outlook on the upcoming season.

“This next season being only our second season having a program, one of our advantages is the element of surprise,” Mulcahey said. “No one in our league is expecting us to be good this season, and we are going to come out with such a talented team or athletes ready to fight and do well.” 

Along with the element of surprise, the team has another advantage that they didn’t have before.

“I know a lot of us on the team are close friends. We have that going for us,” senior Mason Lewis said. “We know each other pretty well, some good team chemistry. We have some good leaders. I think [they’ll] be able to lead our team pretty well.”

After reflecting back on their first season, the team is in a good place but still has a lot to learn. 

“I definitely think we’ve improved on our fundamentals of water polo, just how we position ourselves, how we play and how we know the general game,” Williams said. “I think we need to work on our ability to run plays and respond to calls. Even improving on fundamentals more would be really important.”

In just their second season, the OPHS boys water polo team is ready to take the league by storm. Come support them in their first game against Newbury Park on Aug. 29!