With packed bags in hand, sleepy yawns, and Starbucks cups in hand, the Tigers began to load into the vans for a long journey and weekend to come, the yearly Sierra Shootout tournament in Roseville, California. This tournament is a highlight of the fall season for water polo and officially marks the beginning of the season for the Tigers. It is more than a tournament; it is just a set of games, and it is a tradition that is very memorable.
During this highly anticipated weekend, NDB’s water polo athletes will take on multiple competitive matches against schools from across the state, including teams from Walnut Creek, Santa Cruz, and more, all over the Bay Area. Between games, lots of team bonding happens, including getting froyo, eating dinner, hanging out together in hotel rooms, and long talks about the games that the athletes had played that day. Mainly, it is a weekend to grow as a team and as a player, both in the pool and as a whole team. Upperclassmen, who have been going to this tournament for two to three years, are a little bit more versed in what is to come and serve as a guiding light, especially for the freshmen and new players. We hear what this tournament means to a Senior, Cat Dorf, in more depth.
“Our goals for the team was good defense because we didn’t have a goalie starting this year, and communication,” said Dorf. “My goals for this year are to make more shots, be less aggressive, and focus. Don’t let anger drive your game.”
As a senior, she is reflecting on her experience on the water polo team. Through the ups, downs, team bonding, and self-improvement, many of the seniors are reminiscing on their time on the team and trying to make this season the best one yet! Especially for the underclassmen who are participating on the team, this is one of the first times that they will be going to a tournament for water polo and fully as a team. It is a moment that is marked in their memory forever. We get to hear more about it from Freshman Charlotte Wicks, who plays utility on the Water polo team.
“Everyone is not afraid to take shots and also critique you if you’re not doing what you need to be doing, but in a definite, like, team-spirited and supportive way, of course,” said Wicks.
As a freshman, starting on a new team can be an intimidating thing sometimes. However, Charlotte talks about what she has noticed on the team and in energy in the games as of this weekend. The head coach for the team, Scott Ray, has been training and guiding the Tigers through late-night practices, swim sets, and weight-room sessions. He sees this tournament as an opportunity to see what the Tigers need to work on going into the rest of the season.
“I think there are a lot of things that we can work on, and whether that is a skill or whether that is a situational something to practice in a situational environment,” said Ray. “But I think overall, the team looks good. We have a lot of promise.”
When the NDB athletes return home on Saturday night, most likely feeling emotions of exhaustion, pride, and anticipation for the rest of the season, they will mostly be feeling more connected as a team in friendship and in focus. The Sierra Shootout once again will deliver more than just scores and stats, but confidence, connection, and excitement for what’s to come.
