The sign of a successful athletic program is consistency shown year in and year out, and despite losing its head coach and a host of star players from last year, the Malibu High girls’ water polo team is once again off to a great start this season.
Led by first-year head coach Meredith Butte, the five-time defending league champion Sharks are 4-0 in Tri-Valley League play and 7-4 overall. With each victory, Malibu’s confidence continues to grow and Butte is extremely happy with the team’s progress.
“I am really proud of what we have accomplished thus far,” Butte said. “I have high expectations because I want them to be the best they can be. We are a strong team and everything will fall our way if we continue to play together and give the best effort we can.”
Butte, 23, is a former player and graduate of California Lutheran University who took over a program this past summer that had great success under former coach Tim Segesman, who left in the off-season. In addition to Segesman, the Sharks lost a host of stellar players of last year’s CIF Division VI runner-up team to graduation, including CIF Player of the Year Jordan “JoJo” White. While the team is essentially starting over with only one returning starter and just three players with any varsity experience, Butte’s vibrant personality and youthful age have been a strength for this season’s group of players.
“I am real excited to take over a great program. It’s a dream job,” Butte said. “It’s fun being with the girls. I can relate my experiences as a collegiate student-athlete with them in respect to building discipline and team management.”
Leading the way has been a core of three seniors, Jessica Sorce, Lauren Haas and Devin Dematia, who have brought their experience from last season’s team to this year’s. Sorce, an attacker on offense, leads the team with 29 goals and 22 steals. In the Sharks’ recent 21-5 victory against Nordhoff, Sorce scored five goals and had five assists while Haas contributed four steals. Dematia led all scorers with six goals.
“They set the tone and example to guide the team in hard times,” Butte said. “Communication is very important and they do a great job with the younger players.”
Junior Linda Brown is the teams’ lone returning starter, bringing a tenacious attitude to the defensive side of the ball with 22 steals. She is also a stalwart on offense, with a team-leading 12 assists. Jenny Hill-Carta brings toughness to the team as reflected in her team-high 11 kickouts (fouls drawn from the opponent that cause the opposing player to sit out briefly, giving the Sharks an advantage on offense).
The season opened with a 14-6 defeat to Oxnard High School, followed by the “Mistletoe Tournament” at Newbury Park High School. After dropping two of their first three games in the tournament, the Sharks showed resiliency by defeating Moorpark 10-9 in sudden death overtime. That was followed by a 7-6 victory over Pacifica when MHS scored in the final minute to produce a thrilling comeback win. They finished 13th out of 24 teams.
“They deserved every win they got,” Butte said of her team. “Tight games build character.”
The Sharks opened Tri-Valley League action on Jan. 4 with a dominating 21-3 win against rival Villanova. The Sharks then showed grit by knocking off Carpinteria on the road 8-7 after trailing 7-5 to begin the fourth and final period. After beating Nordhoff 21-5 and Oaks Christian last week 7-3, the Sharks are sitting on a perfect 4-0 record in the league.
The brightest spot for the Sharks has been the emergence of sophomore goalie Sara Toussieng. She has performed admirably in replacing one of Malibu’s all-time great goalies in White.
Toussieng did not play water polo last season, yet she has stepped up in a huge way after having been “thrown into the fire,” Butte said. Toussieng has 70 blocks so far, including eight in the win against Oaks Christian.
Butte feels the entire team has been key to the Sharks’ success thus far, and expects it to remain that way for the future.
“They have shown heart, energy and a lot of fight,” Butte said. “Everybody is contributing and making a difference. They are working together and that makes it special.”