The Lake Orion girls? water polo team made some history last week.
The lady Dragons won the first-ever varsity game since water polo became an official school sport this season.
The girls beat an experienced Haslett team, 12-6, in what was also the first girls water polo varsity game played at Lake Orion. The team previously lost two away games this season.
Coach Gary Essenmacher was pleased with the win and the progress the young team is making.
‘They played very well,? he said. ‘We have improved but still have some things we need to work on. But overall, we looked very good.?
The team is led by captains, senior Danielle Kudla, and junior Nicole Horvath.
Essenmacher said Kudla is the team’s fastest swimmer, handles the ball well and has a very good shot.
Horvath, even though she is a junior, is one of the more experienced swimmers on the team. Essenmacher said she has played at a club level since she was in eighth grade and has four years of experience.
Sarah Michalik is a junior who Essenmacher said has improved quite a bit and is expected to be one of the team’s leaders and scorers.
Abigail Slater is also a junior who is a defensive specialist and plays deep to stop opposing team’s attempt to score.
The team’s goalkeeper is junior Meagan Wander.
Essenmacher said the team has only two seniors but has nine juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen.