This profile on water polo player Searra Silverberg is the second piece in a series on the star athletes at Malibu High School who will return next season.
By Sam Rubinroit / Special to The Malibu Times
Junior Searra Silverberg has accomplished a great deal during her three years on the varsity water polo team at Malibu High School. This past season, she helped to propel the Sharks into the playoffs, where they advanced to the quarterfinals after earning a division championship with a perfect 12-0 record in league play.
For her phenomenal play this year, Silverberg, who is ranked 67th in the state, earned first team all CIF recognition, as well as the co-MVP award for her league (along with fellow Sharks senior Alex Dossett). She also broke the single season scoring record for Malibu with 122 goals, broke the single game scoring record with 10 goals and topped the list for career assists with 74. Silverberg this week was named team MVP and received the Scholar Athlete Award for maintaining a grade point average of at least 3.5.
Outside school, Silverberg has been a part of the Junior Olympics, earning a silver medal in 2007 and a gold medal in the 2008 Albert Open.
What drew you away from typical sports like soccer or softball and pulled you toward water polo? I grew up with a love for the water. I loved the pool and the ocean. Water polo just fit for me.
What is your favorite aspect of the game? Definitely the competition. It builds you both as a person and as a better player.
Water polo is very physical under the water. What are some of the things that can happen? Water polo is very aggressive and physical. You have the typical kicking, grabbing and suit ripping. Pretty much whatever the referee can’t see is legal, so whatever you can get away with, you do.
Do you plan to play in college? I would love the experience of being able to play in college. I have a growing love for the sport.
After college if you decide to go pro, what options are out there for a player? There is the National team, which then leads to possibly the Olympics.
If you decide not to play professionally, what career do you see yourself in? I would love to work in psychology, but I have considered doing PR work as well. I’m young and still haven’t decided though.
How many hours per week (in season) do you spend practicing? Club season is during spring/summer and High School is during winter. During club season, I probably practice 35-40 hours a week, because we have high school pre-season training at the same time.
How do you balance your schoolwork with practices and games? As any athlete would say, it’s not easy. I have little free time because schoolwork, practice and games take up all my time.
You have won the MVP as only a junior, and broke the school’s single season scoring record. Do you see any room for improvement in your game? There are always improvements to be made. I am fortunate enough to play with some great water polo players at club who have helped me get where I am today. But, until I can swim faster than Casey Flacks (senior, Agoura High) and can shoot harder than Whitney Delgado (Senior, Thousand Oaks), I will always have improvements.
How much support did you have from other players on your team? I have tons of support. At Malibu, the whole varsity team supports each other and keeps each other motivated. I have made some of my best friends that way. With LA, there is so much competition to become the best but that is all out of love and support.
Malibu is losing three of its top seniors in Maggie Lawson, Alex Dossett and Rachel Whittemore. What do you expect for next season? Not only are those our top three seniors but some of my best friends. These are the kind of girls you never forget and never want to leave. It’s going to be rough, but I know the younger girls will come through. This summer will be good to see who steps up and who can fill the seniors shoes. We will pull through like we do every year; it just takes dedication and work.
What advice would you give to a young player just entering the sport? Never give up. It will only get harder, but that will make you a better person and a stronger player.