A battle awaits for OEC crown

The 2023 women's water polo season kicked off this past week and the race for the Orange Empire Conference championship is likely to be a tight one.  A number of programs look ready to make a run.

The Orange Empire Conference has long been a dominating force in aquatics sports, with women's water polo being no exception.  The OEC has won 16 state titles since the state started to recognize the sport in 1996, with four different programs claiming the hardware.

This season it looks as if a number of programs could make a run.

Orange Coast started the season 4-0 when they hosted a tournament this past weekend.  The Pirates gave up just 21 goals in four games while scoring double-digits in every outing.  Jillian Duwe was a dominating force for the Pirates, netting 16 goals in four games.  

Another to start 4-0 was Riverside, who also played in the OCC Tournament.  The Tigers scored 55 goals in four games, with the lone challenge coming from Long Beach City.  RCC was led by Jessie Nelson, who finished with 19 goals in four games to put her third in the state in scoring.

Golden West has won eight state titles in women's water polo, but hasn't been to the winner's circle since 2013.  The Rustlers got off to a solid start at the Cuesta Tournament, winning 4-of-5 games to start the season.  Belle Schulze has been the leading scorer so far for a Rustler lineup that seems pretty balanced.

Saddleback is another to watch out for.  The Bobcats made the playoffs for the first time in 17 years last fall, and look like they are back and looking for more in 2023.  Saddleback had a great start to the OCC Tournament in winning three straight before falling to Riverside City in the final game of the weekend.  Katherine Butler has led the Bobcats with 12 goals through four outings.  

Cypress is off to its best start in years, going 6-2 to start the campaign.  The Chargers won 3-of-4 in both tournaments they've played, losing to only San Diego Mesa and Golden West.  Cypress has a balanced attack, with Jezebell Cervantes (17), Makayla Serrano (13) and Brooke Shiohama(12) all posting double-digit scoring numbers so far.  

Fullerton was one of the great forces in the state during the 2022 campaign, but has had a bit of a slow start in 2023.  The Hornets are 1-3 out of the gate, falling to Riverside City, Orange Coast and Ventura.  Fullerton rebounded with a resounding win over Southwestern (26-4) in the OCC Tournament and are hoping that the win springboards them forward heading into the OEC schedule.  The Hornets are led by Alexandra Haluska, who has seven goals through four games.  

Release by Brad Hoiseth, Saddleback SID