Coach Brian Roth has some extra giddiness in his voice nowadays.
His San Marcos girls water polo program is having its best season in his six-year tenure, winning all three of its matches at the Bonita Tournament to win its division on Saturday.
“Every single kid is stepping up and giving 200-percent. I’ve never seen anything like it as a coach,” he said.
Nine goals in each of the three games did the trick on Saturday, as the Royals defeated Bonita 9-3, Rio Mesa 9-5 and El Rancho 9-4.
“We’ve had one of the most balanced scoring attacks I’ve seen. It’s truly been a team effort,” said Roth.
Brittny Hummel, Rose Koper and Hannah Koper each had a pair of goals against Bonita. Hannah Koper, just a freshman, scored five in the second game while her sister added another pair. Ashley Wagner, Flo Chardon and Hummel each scored twice in the finale.
The El Rancho game was “for lack of a better word, a brawl” according to Roth, as Chardon, Wagner and Zoe Kirker all received majors for being ejected three times. El Rancho had 16 man-up opportunities but only managed to convert on three of them.
Much of the defensive success has come thanks to goalie Mallory Zaunius. She won mutliple bags of cookies at last week’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table luncheon, and Roth thinks it might have triggered something.
“Ever since she won those cookies at the Round Table she’s been getting better and better. She made three crucial saves in the El Rancho match,” he said.
