Bellevue Wolverines Water Polo Highlights Future Placing 5th at State
The Bellevue Wolverines Boys Water Polo team made a triumphant return to the D1 Washington State Tournament last week, securing a commendable 5th place overall. This marks their best finish since their state fourth place finish in 2019, showcasing the team’s growth and potential for future success.
Dominant Start Against Stadium High School
The Wolverines kicked off their tournament journey with a commanding performance against Stadium High School on Wednesday evening. Bellevue surged ahead early, leveraging penalty goals and a 6-on-5 opportunity to establish a 5-1 lead in the first quarter. Their speed and strategic play continued to shine in the second quarter, pushing the halftime score to 10-3.
In the third quarter, Bellevue rotated players off the bench, maintaining their dominance and extending their lead to 15-4. The fourth quarter saw the starters resting while swing players held the line, culminating in a decisive 19-9 victory. This win propelled Bellevue into the D1 Championship Tournament for the first time since 2018.
Tough Matchup Against Bainbridge Island
With their win over Stadium, Bellevue secured the 8th seed and faced a formidable opponent in Bainbridge Island, the defending 2023 state champions. Bainbridge came out strong, quickly establishing a 4-1 lead in the first quarter. Despite Bellevue’s efforts, they trailed 12-3 at halftime. Bainbridge’s defense held firm in the second half, resulting in a 16-3 loss for Bellevue, who then looked forward to their Friday matchup against Newport High School.
Comeback Victory Over Newport High School
Friday’s game against Newport started slowly for Bellevue, falling behind 0-3 in the first quarter. However, a late penalty shot sparked a comeback. By halftime, Bellevue had narrowed the gap to 3-4. The third quarter saw Bellevue take control, scoring four goals to Newport’s one, and they maintained their lead in the fourth quarter to secure an 8-6 victory. This win guaranteed Bellevue at least a 6th place finish in the state tournament, with underclassmen playing a pivotal role.
Physical Battle with Roosevelt Rough Riders
Saturday morning brought a familiar opponent in the Roosevelt Rough Riders. The game was intensely physical, with early exclusions setting the tone. Both teams were tied 1-1 at the end of the first quarter. Bellevue took a 4-2 lead into halftime, but Roosevelt fought back in the third quarter, ending it with a 7-6 lead. Despite a hard-fought fourth quarter, Roosevelt triumphed 11-8, sending Bellevue to the 5th/6th place game against Mercer Island.
Riveting Finale Against Mercer Island
In their final game, Bellevue faced their rivals, the Mercer Island Islanders. Determined to win for their seniors, Bellevue started strong, leading 2-1 at the end of the first quarter. The game remained close, with Bellevue maintaining a narrow lead. Mercer Island briefly took the lead in the second half, but Bellevue regained it by the end of the third quarter, 7-6. The fourth quarter was a defensive battle, with each team scoring once. Bellevue capitalized on a Mercer Island exclusion to secure an 8-7 victory, clinching 5th place in the state.
A Bright Future Ahead
This year’s top 5 finish is a significant achievement for the Bellevue Wolverines Boys’ Water Polo team, highlighting their potential with five of the seven starters being underclassmen. The team is excited to return to D1 next year, aiming for a championship in 2025. With their strong performance and promising young talent, the future looks bright for Bellevue Boys’ Water Polo.
