The Long Beach City College (LBCC) women’s water polo team has made a remarkable start this season, boasting an undefeated record of 14-0. They are currently recognized as the top-ranked team in California, according to the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) standings.
Having claimed the California state championship in the previous year, the Vikings have established themselves as strong contenders for a repeat, following an impressive 39-2 record last season.
Key Players and Contributions
Under the leadership of Coach Chris Oeding, LBCC has triumphed over several top-ranked teams in the state. The team’s offensive prowess is highlighted by standout performances from:
- Mar Bernal: 32 goals
- Amy Fritz: 23 goals
- Alexis Velazquez: 21 goals
- Shahar Rokach: 16 assists (team-high)
Defensively, Amy Fritz also leads the team with 19 steals, supported by Irene Pueyo Caballero, who has contributed 16 steals.
Goaltending Depth
The Vikings have demonstrated substantial depth in their goalkeeping roster, featuring five players who have taken on starting roles this season. The goalkeepers include:
- Olivia Birdsall
- Marlene Jackson
- Maya Jennings
- Sophia Santsche-Chavez
- Hailey Suttle
Olivia Birdsall stands out among them, leading the team with 32 saves to date.
Overall Performance and Upcoming Events
So far this season, LBCC has outscored opponents decisively, with a cumulative score of 263-77 across their first 14 games.
Looking ahead, the Vikings will be hosting the “Battle at the Beach” on October 24-25. Additionally, the Southern California Championships are set to take place during the first week of November, culminating in the state championships scheduled from November 20-22.
