The Alameda and Encinal high school water polo teams are looking sharp as they approach the postseason.

Women’s Water Polo
The Encinal women’s team just finished going 3-1 in the Pinole Valley Tournament on Oct. 6 and 7. They defeated Marin Academy of San Rafael 10-6, lost to Redwood of Larkspur 7-5, but rebounded with victories over Bishop O’Dowd of Oakland (9-4) and Terra Linda of San Rafael (8-5).

The impressive showing at the Pinole Valley Tournament came after the team went a perfect 3-0 at the Dixon Tournament on Sept. 23. The team outscored their three opponents 31-12. The Jets beat Terra Linda 10-5, defeated Newark Memorial 10-3 and took down Marin Academy 11-4.

Junior Shelby Nelson scored 12 goals, including six against Terra Linda in the tournament. She also assisted on six goals. Junior Hannah Arbios scored eight goals in the three-game tournament, with five of the eight coming against Newark Memorial.

The Jets are now 13-4 overall and 3-0 in the West Alameda County Conference (WACC). 

The Hornets women’s team is sitting atop the WACC with a perfect 4-0 league record. They defeated Lick-Wilmerding of San Francisco 20-1 on Sept 12, beat Bishop O’Dowd 12-5 on Sept. 19, took down Piedmont 16-3 on Sept. 26 and topped Castro Valley 19-5 on Oct. 3. The Hornets also beat Encinal 6-2 on Sept. 16, but that contest was part of the Sierra Shootout and a non-conference game. 

The Hornets will conclude the regular season with a match against the Jets on Oct. 18. Then the Hornets will look to win their fourth straight WACC tournament championship.

Men’s Water Polo
The Encinal men’s team is 4-15 on the season and 0-4 in the WACC.

The Alameda High men’s team also sits atop the WACC standings with a 4-0 league record. Like their women counterparts, the Hornets beat Lick-Wilmerding (20-8 on Sept. 12), Bishop O’Dowd (23-19 on Sept. 19) and Piedmont (18-17 on Sept. 26). They also beat league rival Castro Valley 18-11 on Oct. 3. 

Before their tilt with Castro Valley, the Hornets went 2-1 in the Amador Valley Tournament on Sept. 30. They defeated Foothill of Pleasanton 12-11 and Alhambra of Martinez 16-13. However, they lost the championship game 14-8 to Northgate of Walnut Creek. 

The Hornets will close the regular season with a battle against the Jets on Oct. 18. Then will begin the trek to regain the WACC title after losing to Piedmont in the final last year.