BAC Blog!

16 and Under Clovis Trip

This past weekend the 16 and under boys water polo team traveled to Clovis for a weekend tournament. After training against some of the 16 and 18 and under girls who voluntarily attended our practices to pose as the competition, we were prepared for most any situation we might find ourselves in - thanks ladies!

Our first game was Saturday morning, and we came out ready to play. Our solid defense and stellar counter attack put us in the lead right away. Through balanced score, and great teamwork we put the game away with a final score of: 10-4. Unfortunately, the team who we were supposed to play in our second game did not show - I guess they were scared. Although we had already won this game by forfeit, the host team played us so that we could get another game in and we beat them as well: 14-12

Our last game of the day was a thriller. After a back and forth battle from the two teams, which included two 5 meter blocks by our goalie Bailey Girard, the fourth quarter ended in a tie at 10 each. The game went straight to sudden death. Our first few possessions left us with two opportunities to score which we couldn’t put away. However, after a great defensive stop, we were able to get the ball up to Casey Sullivan on the counter attack, and he put away the shot to win the game 11-10.

That win put the team in the semi-finals of a 16 team tournament. The next day we had two games to decide the final standings. Although we lost both games that day, the team showed tremendous strength near the end of our last game as we battled back to score 3 goals in the final quarter.

I consider the trip a complete success! Based on our record, we finished fourth, something we should all be proud of. But more importantly the team showed a lot of growth. We started playing as a unit, and executing aspects of the game we had been working on all season. Team trips always provide opportunities for the athletes to get to know one another better, and this trip was no different. Congratulations to al our athletes who attended!

MANY thanks to Noreen and Katie for being our chaperones! This trip wouldn’t have been possible without you.

Weekend Tournament in San Ramon

The past weekend the 16U and 18U girls water polo teams played three games each in San Ramon. The 18U team won all three games and the 16U team won two out of three. Congratulations to all the athletes who participated.

A big theme of the weekend was consistency: learning to play with the same intensity no matter what the game is and who is playing. We have talked a lot this summer about being mentally prepared for the “big” tournaments and the tough games against opponents that we know are very skilled. The same applies for all games, even if we are in a tournament where we are not playing to qualify for a championship or if we are playing a team that we have seen and believe to be less experienced than we are. We want to always offer our best effort, not get sloppy or lazy, and practice excellence with every opportunity.

Both the 16’s and 18’s started off their first games just going through the motions, but soon turned things around. Even in winning, we began as teams playing below our level of skill. As the days went on and we played our second and third games, we came together more to collectively focus on our team goals and make sure that we were finishing plays, making precision passes, and keeping our intensity up on both sides of the pool. The weekend was a good lesson in committing to high level play at all times, regardless of the stakes. If we can do that every game and every practice we will be well on the road to achieving our goals and becoming one of the best groups of players in the bay area….. all it takes is dedication.

Blast Off To Beijing

At yesterday’s Blast off to Beijing, the USA Women’s Olympic Water Polo Team defeated the Australian team 7-5, wrapping up the teams’ exhibition games in the US. The game also marked the largest crowd on American soil for a women’s water polo game ever - 2,963 (if my memory serves me correctly)! So thanks to all of you who helped make history! And an even bigger thanks to those of you who did it wearing your BAC shirt! 

 Those 2,963 fans did not leave disappointed. With three ties, and a final goal difference of two points the game kept everyone on the edge of their seats. For those of you who were not fortunate enough to see it, the game will be aired this Sunday on MSNBC at 9am. They even had an under water camera to give everyone a better idea of what goes on during the game. Don’t miss it! 

 Congratulations to the US team, and GOOD LUCK IN BEIJING!!!

Olympic Trials update!

A BAC swimmer is currently at Omaha watching the Olympic Trials. She is texting me the most recent update of the meet! 

July 2 @ 4:50 PM Pacific Time > Katie Hoff beat her American Record in the 200 Free 

July 2 @ 4:40 PM Pacific Time > Jason Lezak took back his American Record in the 100 Free in the Semifinals! 

July 2 @ 9:20 AM Pacific Time > Jason Lezak broke his own American Record, then Garett Weber-Gale broke it in the next heat! All in the prelims! 

July 1 @ 5:49 PM Pacific Time > Jessica Hardy & Megan Jendrick made the 100 Breast team 

July 1 @ 5:18 PM Pacific Time > Aaron Piersol broke the World Record in the 100 Back. 52.89!!!

July 1 @ 5:02 PM Pacific time > Natalie Coughlin broke the World Record in the 100 Back. 58.97!!! First woman to break the 59 second barrier.