Summer for girls’ water polo

By Claudia Cheffs, Photography editor

For many teenagers, summer is the definition of rest and relaxation.

However, that\’s not the case for the FVHS girls\’ water polo team.

This summer, at least 30 girls had to be on the pool deck by 7:15 a.m. Practice lasted two to three hours, including competitive scrimmages. There were also morning land workouts, including running, cross training, squats, and abdominal workouts.

“Every week in the summer we played different schools from all over Orange County, just to get in better shape for the oncoming season,” says goalie Amanda Young.

Long Beach Poly, Millikan, and Woodbridge were among many of the high schools defeated in the summer games. All the time in and out of the water created a strong sense of teamwork.

“Being with the same people for so long creates a bond between the teammates. After a while, the team just kind of forms a tight-knit family, so we support each other through thick and thin,” says recent 2008 alumnus, Kaileigh Esson.

Contrary to what some might think, the water polo girls do have a life beyond the water.

The team also had the chance to go on a trip to Hawaii this summer to vacation and practice.

The dangerously high chlorine levels, which caused concern last year, have supposedly gotten better, and the players\’ hair was not bleached by the second week of practice.

The water polo girls hope that after all their hard work over the summer they will have a successful year when their season starts in October.