Reporter/Times Herald Area Water Polo Previews

North Penn enters the season as Defending State Champions on both the boys and girls side, and is looking for more.
“The goal for the season remains the hunt for another state championship,” coach Jason Grubb said. “Hard work and steady growth will decide if the Knights can repeat.”
The Wissahickon girls are aiming for an upward climb in the Eastern Conference.
“With so many returning players, expectations are extremely high for this group,” coach Greg Beyer said. “We have strong leadership and a great core of talented, young players that are hungry to win. The players’ goals are in line with the coaching staff’s expectations for this season.”
Upper Dublin is shooting for a spot in states.
“This is mostly a young squad that is putting in the hard work and seeking to return to the state tournament,” coach Coach Chris Ianni said. “With a lot of young talent mixed with experienced upperclassmen, we are looking to thrive off of our great season from last year and improve ourselves once again.”
Following is a team-by-team look at the area.
Boys
Germantown Academy
Coach: Mike Koziol.
Key returners: Daniel Araten, Sr., driver; Jake Rabbiner, Sr., driver; Patrick O’Hara, So., driver; Jack Lafond, Sr., driver; Walker Butler, Jr., utility, Brian Bartle, Sr., utility; Louis Porter, So., driver; John Forde, Sr., utility; Max Lasdon, So., driver; William Martin, Jr., utility/goalie; Gabriel Levy, Sr., driver; Noah Spratt, Jr., two-meter offense; Justin Stokes, Sr., goalie/utility.
Outlook: The Patriots have a good collection of seniors that should provide plenty of leadership and experience throughout the season.
North Penn
Coach: Jason Grubb (8th season).
Last year’s record: 24-3; State Champions; SOL Champs; Eastern Conference Champs.
Key performers lost: Zach Owens (First Team All-State); Derek Friday (Fifth Team All-American); Andrew Dunigan (First Team All-State); Aidan Daly (Third Team All-State); Ryan Hartmann; Bryan Mitchell; Ben Alhmark; Matt Franco (Honorable Mention All-State); Ross Gold.
Key returners: A.J. Patterson, Sr., Center (Second Team All-State); Sean Faikish, Jr., Attacker (Second Team All-State); Chris Killion, Jr., Center.
Others to watch: Ryley Fein, Sr. Attacker; Tyler Hall, Sr., Attacker; Nick Forte, Sr., Attacker; Dalton Weitzel, Sr., Attacker; Jack Kim, Jr., Center Defender; Evan Mancini, Jr., Goalie; Carter Mitchell, Jr., Center Defender.
Strengths: The Knights bring back two returning starters from the State Championship team in Patterson and Faikish, and first off the bench, Killion.
Question marks: With the loss of a strong season class, including three first team all-state players, the Knights must work to find the depth that was lost from the previous season.
Pennridge
Coach: Dave Apple (third season).
Key performers lost: Josh Yardley; Aiden Bunn; Kevin Jones; Alijah Schwager Santangelo.
Key returners: Ethan Lionetti, Sr.; James Sandt, Sr.;
Outlook for the season: The Rams should once again be a force in the SOL and compete for a states spot at season’s end.
Souderton Area
Coach: Joe Hay (sixth season).
Key performers lost: Michael Dechert; Rory Sinkinson; Brandon Long; Andre Beldham.
Key returners: Ried Sinkinson, Sr.; Jake Kramer, Sr.; Will Leyland, Jr.; Landon Loux, Jr.; Kristian Stanczewski, So.
Outlook for the season: Big Red lost a lot to graduation but should have a solid group in place to make a push when the postseason arrives.
Upper Dublin
Coach: Christopher Ianni (sixth season).
Last year’s record: 9-16; sixth in the SOL.
Key performers lost: Kyle Rubenstein, versatile player who led the team in goals; Matt Carpenter, starting hole-set.
Key returners: Andersen Mejasich; Ryan Williamson; Ben Rosenthal; Noah Wiggins; Andrey Kolpakov; Max Hubbard; Ryan Tucker.
Others to Watch: Strong freshmen class, including rising star Brenden Fitzgerald, who can play every position well, along with Luke Price, mostly as two-meter defender, and starting goalie Jacob Robinson.
Strengths: “For the first time in UD history, there is a core group of players with experience and determination to take it to the next level.”
Question Marks: “Will our freshmen be ready enough to play at the varsity level?”
Coach Ianni says: “This core group has been working together for the past few years and is at the point of taking it to that next level. It is their year to rise into the upper echelon of the league. The boys provide great energy on a daily basis and look to be the best team yet in UD history. The goal is to keep improving and try to make a run to states like our girls did last year. With a strong nucleus of experienced players and some young upcoming freshmen, UD boys have a fun-filled and challenging season awaiting them.”
Wissahickon
Coach: Bart Schneider.
Key returners: Griffin Bowers, Jr.; Giovanni D’Amore, Jr.; Peter Decker, Sr.; Nicholas Kang, Sr.; Ryan Keagy, Sr.; Luke Kibblehouse, Sr.; Edwin Kuffner, Sr.; Connor Laux, Sr.; Max Levine, Sr.; Noah Levine, Sr.; Nicholas Piscopo, Jr.; Anthony Schoppe, Jr.
Outlook for the season: The Trojans have a deep roster and some seasoned veterans that could provide the difference in several contests.
Girls
Germantown Academy
Coach: Allison Rader (11th season).
Last year’s record: 9-4.
Key performers lost: Alexa Naessens.
Key returners: Emily Morrissey, Sr.; Elle Stauffer, Jr.
Others to watch: Alana Andress, Jr.
Strengths: “We have many returning players, but only 9 players on the team this year. The squad will be knowledgeable, tenacious, and fearless.”
Question marks: “With such a small group of girls, it’s important we stay healthy and strong for the long fall season. They’ll have to get over their mistakes quickly and learn from them and their teammates.”
Coach Rader says: “Our goal each day is to be better than the day before. We have some solid athletes on the team, we just need to get back into the pool and ready to play an entire game with very little rest.”
North Penn
Coach: Jason Grubb (second season).
Last year’s record: 26-1; State Champions; SOL Champs; Eastern Conference Champs.
Key performers lost: Maeve Wydan (Fourth Team All-American); Maddie Koerper (First Team All-State); Rosalinda Rivera (Honorable Mention All-American); Caroline Gillespie (Second Team All-State); Megan Zartman (Third Team All-State); Melissa McGuire.
Key returners: Claudia Thamm, Sr., Utility (Second Team All-State); Haley Muth, Sr., Center Defender; Madeleine Voss, Sr., Center, Kaelan Daly, So., Utility (Honorable Mention All-State).
Others to watch: Caitlyn Freece, Sr., Attacker; Taylor Halteman, Sr., Attacker; Katelyn Harkrader, Sr., Attacker; Olivia Pironti, Sr., Attacker; Abbie Broadhead, Jr., Center Defender; Caroline Dunigan., Jr., Goalie; Grace McLaughlin., Jr., Center; Jane Montague, Jr., Center Defender; Lizzy Koerper, So., Center.
Strengths: The Knights are a well balanced team with a strong returning senior class and many hungry underclassmen ready to contribute.
Question marks: The Knights just graduated one of the most decorated classes in the school’s history, winning four state championships in a row. Four girls are playing Division 1 water polo and one is swimming for a D1 team. This will be a big adjustment year for the Knights to find a new core to continue the programs success.
Coach Grubb says: “The Knights will be looking to continue the success of the program’s past and compete for another State Championship.”
Pennridge
Coach: Jacob Grant (fourth season).
Last year’s record: Third in the SOL; fourth in Eastern Conference; made state play-in game but lost to Governor Mifflin.
Key performers lost: Brooke Pritz, two-meter defense player.
Key returners: Emily Eckelmeyer, Sr.; Reese Trauger, Sr.; Rachel Keyser, Sr.; Rachel Madden, Sr.; Ryan Bashaar, Sr.
Others to watch: Megan Weiss, Jr.; Hannah Sayre, Jr.; Hannah Keyser, So., goalie.
Strengths: “Returning five starters this year, three of which were our main offensive unit last year. Defensively, we are good set up 6 v 6.”
Question marks: “Still looking for a sixth person to step up and take the last starting spot. Another question mark is our swimming ability. Have quite a few fast girls, some questionable girls with speed and endurance.”
Coach Grant says: “All were starters last year along with Brooke, so returning five starters this year is huge. Looking to get back to the state tournament for the first time since the 2015 season. Also looking to improve our league record.”
Souderton Area
Coach: Joe Hay (sixth season).
Key performers lost: Michaela Hershey.
Key returners: Hailey Freed, Jr.
Others to Watch:: Big Red has some experienced pieces to build around as they look to remain one of the top forces in the SOL.
Upper Dublin
Coach: Chris Ianni (fourth season).
Last season’s record: 17-10; third in the Eastern Conference behind North Penn and Souderton; 8th in the state.
Key performers lost: Rebecca Pendleton (St. Francis University), sprinter who led the team in KO’s drawn and steals (Third Team All-State).
Key returners: Kelly Regan, Sr., plays every position well and earned Third Team All-State, First Team All-Conference; Sydney Menszak, sprinter; Alli Stelling, key defender; Jasmine Thek, So., rising star in goal.
Others to watch: Sami Coccia, Jr., sprinter/defender; Michaela Caldwell, Fr.; Erin Andrews, Fr.
Strengths: Speed up and down the pool and experienced players who played on the state tournament stage last year.
Wissahickon
Coach: Greg Beyer (third season).
Last year’s record: 8-15; sixth at Eastern Conference Championships.
Key performers lost: Taylor Radell.
Key returners: Caitlin Valentine, Sr., goalie; Emma Benning, Sr.; Sophia Tsiobikas, Sr.; Anna Alberti, Jr.; Chloe Lovensheimer, Jr.; Becca Valentine, So.
Others to watch: Jaclyn Staub, Jr.; Maggie Krieger, So.
Strengths: “This team returns six of seven starters from last season and a young, but experienced bench. The Trojans’ record last year does not reflect how competitive this team was in a strong Eastern Conference. The team chemistry and experienced varsity players should be ready to build upon last year’s season and move up the ranks of the Eastern Conference. All-State goalie Caitlin Valentine looks to anchor a strong defensive unit as she continues to establish herself as one of the top goalies in the state.”
Question marks: “The Trojans have moved into a beautiful new facility at Wissahickon and are making the transition from a shallow/deep pool to all deep. Can they turn this facility into a home-pool advantage? Can the younger players who will be playing significant varsity minutes contribute to this experienced group?”