Girls Wolverines Regional Champions, onto State now!

The snarling Pacific Northwest traffic proved a formidable foe this week, adding to the battle scars, nerves and exhaustion!  It was a week of BIG battles for Bellevue Girls Water Polo, starting with a face-off with the #2 team in the state — Curtis HS. The girls got a good feel for this team to prepare them for their contest in the State Championship Tournament Memorial Day weekend at the Curtis pool in University Place.

Curtis sprinters dominated all four sprints, but not easily; they were all very close. Sophia Simons deflected SIX shots on goal, masterfully holding the Vikings to one goal in the first quarter. She continued showing that strength in the second quarter blocking five more shots, but they managed to get 4 in. In the third quarter, Morgan Baker scored after a steal by Katie Duff, bringing the score to 7-1 Curtis. Jenna Frazer continued to rack up steals in the fourth quarter; Holly Harris and sisters Natasha Schmid and Sophia Schmid all got some good shots off, but no cigar.  In the fourth quarter, Natasha Schmid made a LONG BOMB goal, assisted by Tatiana Pasewark bringing the final score to 7-2…a respectable loss after winning in our first contest early in the season.

Bellevue finished victorious in the Regional Tournament at Rogers High School in Puyallup over the weekend, defeating Kentfield, Newport and Mercer Island. On Friday, the team arrived at the Rogers pool with two minutes to change and warm up after unusual traffic due to accidents and highway closures on each of the four highways used en route! After the 105 minute drive Bellevue unleashed their energy to vanquish Kentfield 19-4. At the half, the score was 16-2, so Coach Evan had the girls focus on play execution and not counter attacks or goals.  Goals were scored by Morgan Baker (7…yes SEVEN), Holly Harris (4), Natasha Schmid (4), Jenna Frazer (2), Madison Klein and Katie Duff. These goals were assisted by Natasha (5), Jenna (4), Morgan (3), Elena Acevedo (2), Sarah Kim (2), Katie and Sophia Schmid. Erica Esselstrom nimbly defended the goal, saving an average of 3 shots per quarter, holding Kentfield to 4 points.

Later Friday evening we were challenged by rival Newport HS. Natasha started off the game winning the sprint. Holly drew an ejection shortly thereafter, giving us a man-up position for Sophia Schmid to B-52 bomb in the first goal. Then a new nickname was earned as Rock Lobster Schmiddie went on to daringly lob a hat trick of goals past the baffled Newport goalies — one was from the middle of the pool! Newport came back after the 6-1 half with 4 unanswered goals, but it was not enough. Jenna continued her stealing rampage and Sophia Simons defended the goal with finesse in deep water all four quarters.  Bellevue thwarted the Knights 8-5 with goals scored by ROCK LOBSTER team captain Sophia Schmid (4), Morgan Baker (2), Jenna Frazer and Natasha Schmid.

Saturday’s game for the Regional Champions title was a showdown with Mercer Island. This decisive win over MI was particularly gratifying after the loss suffered earlier this month on MI turf. Once again, Goalie and team co-captain Sophia Simons adroitly hovered over the water, covering the cage with help from our strong Defense, limiting MI to just two goals. Holly and Morgan drew early ejections and Jenna Sticky-Fingers Frazer continued to hog the ball with deft steals, positioning our Offense to score!  Jenna scored the first goal with alarming precision after her notorious pump fakes.  Natasha sank a powerful outside shot past the goalie tightly into the corner.  Captain Morgan Baker was utterly unstoppable, sometimes dragging several Islanders in dizzying spins in front of the cage, defiantly and miraculously finishing with goals! Our competent and unyielding Defense and Sophia Simons’ goal tending minimized the Islanders’ shots and goals. Final score 5-2 Bellevue.

The BHS Girls Water Polo first time ever Regionals Champions will head into State this week starting with a game Thursday night at 8:00 against Wilson at Curtis High School in University Place. Friday and Saturday games are TBD. Please check the website or ask the girls for the latest information and PLEASE COME to Curtis this weekend to cheer on the girls to an even stronger finish this year! Last year we were 4th in the state. This year we are destined for better!