The 14U championship team from Santa Barbara 805 Water Polo Club. (Courtesy Photo)
Santa Barbara 805 Water Polo Club advanced three teams to championship games at the 2015 United States Club Championship held the weekend of 12 July in Corona, California.
Santa Barbara’s 14U girls won the 2015 US Club Championship after a close 9-8 semifinal victory over Rosebowl followed by a decisive 12-5 victory over 680 in the championship. The 2015 National Champions included Liliana Rose Akin, Jordan Duggan, Sara Engmyr, Anna Hepp, Abrielle Hill, Olivia Kistler, Fiona Kuesis, Sarah Owens, Kayla Peacock, Chloe Pena, Grace Raisin, Jewel Roemer, and Fiona Sonni. Sydney Klakeg was in goal for Santa Barbara. Olivia Kistler was named championship MVP. The 14s were coached by Connor Levoff, Cathy Neushul, and Pam Tanase.
In the 16U semi-final Santa Barbara defeated Socal 12-7 and then fell to SET water polo club in the championship 7-8 after drawing even early in the fourth quarter. The 16s drew an ejection and had a chance to tie in the final 30 seconds but were unable to convert the power play. The 16U girls included Jessie Brummett, Paige Hauschild, Grace Heck, Abrielle Hill, Olivia Kistler, Lara Kostruba, Kari Jensen, Kailie Mcgeouy, Ryann Neushul, Brittany Prentice, Grace Raisin, and Jewel Roemer. Sophia Trumbull anchored the team in goal. The 16s were coached by Cathy Neushul and Connor Levoff.
In the top age group Santa Barbara’s 18 girls teams defeated perennial power Socal in a hard fought semi-final where fourth quarter goals by Ryann Neushul and Paige Hauschild and the outstanding goalie play of Amanda Longan helped preserve an 8-7 victory. The 18 girls could not maintain their momentum in the championship, falling to 680 Water Polo Club of Northern California by a score of 6-2. Santa Barbara’s 18’s included Victoria Bray, Jessie Brummett, Katherine Coski, Kristina Garcia, Hailey Gellert, Paige Hauschild, Riley Heiduk, Abrielle Hill, Lara Kostruba, Ryann Neushul, Brittany Prentice, Jessee Ransone, Jewel Roemer, Juliana Shackelford. Amanda Longan went the distance in goal for the 18s. Cathy Neushul coached the 18U girls.
The US Club Championships are a magnet for collegiate coaches who get a chance to see top players compete in one of the most challenging tournaments of the season. Santa Barbara’s graduating senior players participating at the club championships included Amanda Longan (Oaks Christian/USC) and Riley Heiduk (SMHS/UCSD).
