Dos Pueblos water polo coach Chris Parrish wants his team to grow up fast.
Even with only four returning players, Parrish wasn’t going to schedule lightweightl opponents to ease his team into the season. The Chargers jumped right into the fire, opening (and falling) against San Diego Section powers The Bishops School (on a penalty shot) and Cathedral Catholic (8-6).
Next on the schedule is Thursday’s home opener against defending CIF-SS Division 1 champion and current No. 1 team, Mater Dei. The game, a rematch of last year’s CIF Division 1 semifinal (won by Mater Dei,13-7), is at 5 p.m. at the Elings Aquatic Center.
Mater Dei is led by two U.S. junior national team players: Bret Bonanni and James Walters. Bonanni, a senior, scored 156 goals and had 41 assists last season for the Monarchs, while Walters tallied 61 goals and assisted on 53 others in his freshman season.
Mater Dei is coached by Dos Pueblos alum Chris Segesman. The Monarchs will stay in town and compete in the first Santa Barbara Invitational on Friday and Saturday.
