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Elyse Osborn ’27 surveys her surroundings while simutaniously keeping her Raider opponent at bay, holding down the Warrior’s defense.
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Audrey Derdeyn ’26 expertly keeps the ball out of prying hands, whilst Penny Riha ’29 looks onwards for an opening. Derdeyn, one of the two girls’ team captains, is an integral player to Westwood’s offense and their camaraderie.
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Sara Horsey ’27 and Elyse Osborn ’27 engage with two Cedar Ridge players, fighting for control of the ball as they surge towards the opposing goal.
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Rouzhen Ma ’29 prepares to launch the ball towards the Cedar Ridge goal, spying an opening in the Raider’s defense. Although only a freshman, Ma has proved valuable to the Lady Warrior’s team time and time again.
In a pressing battle on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Round Rock Aquatic Center (RRAC), the Lady Warriors Water Polo team took on the Cedar Ridge Raiders for the role of district champs. Although facing a tough 6-5 loss, the Warriors left with a newfound outlook on their season.
“I was disappointed [at our loss], but I know we can always come back stronger,” Inez Rodilla-Delgado ’29 said.
The Warriors came full throttle out of the gate, immediately firing off a far offensive lead from the Raiders. With an airtight defense and strong offense, the Lady Warriors took on a clear, steady advantage over the Raiders during the first quarter, managing to keep both the Raiders shut down and the score at a devastating 0-0.
“[Our strategy] was to shut down the center offense, and force shots from the outside,” Sara Horsey ’27 said. “I thought we had a pretty good chance.”
Within the second quarter, however, the Lady Warriors hit a speedbump: their defense began to stammer. Although the Warrior’s offensive strategy – which was to hit the Raiders head on and land shots from the outer ring – shot them far, their defensive efforts couldn’t quite catch up. The Raiders, with all their stamina, were able to take the opportunity and land a goal, planting the half-time score at 1-1.
“We were supposed to win, and when we didn’t win, I was so, so angry,” Aisley Romansky ‘27 said. “I know we can do better next time.”
Even with their effort, the momentum of the first two quarters came to a halt, and the Lady Warriors were hardly able to maintain their advantage over the course of the third quarter. By the fourth quarter, stamina had completely crashed – exasperation palpable over the team’s defensive line. The Raiders, using this to their advantage, pulled ahead with four back- to- back goals of their own, ending the game with a tight 6-5 victory over Westwood.
“Don’t ask permission to succeed,” Romansky ’27 said. “We’ve got the better shots, the better overall players, but they’ve got the speed [and stamina].”
Even with this loss, the Lady Warriors were able to take it in stride, cheering on the boys team as they faced the Raiders in their own thrilling match. Westwood looks forward to showcasing their abilities against Waco Midway next on Friday, Sept. 26, at the Waco Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) pool.
“Cedar Ridge may have won, but Westwood always [triumphs] in persistence and determination,” Rodilla-Delgado ’29 said.
