Forty-one girls sign up for water polo

By Joe Naiman

After the first week of practice, Ramona head water polo coach Donnie Williams had 41 players to divide among the varsity, junior varsity and novice teams.

“Good amount of girls,” Williams said. “Biggest number I’ve had since my second year.”

The second year for Williams, who began coaching the Bulldogs in 2004, would have been 2005.

“It will be a good team,” he said of this year’s squad.

Practice began Nov. 12. The Bulldogs return eight varsity players from the 2010-11 team, including four starters.

Ramona’s 2010-11 season ended with a loss in the CIF Division II semifinals. The Bulldogs had a 15-17 overall record last season, including the 2-1 showing in the playoffs and a 1-9 Palomar League mark.

“I think we have a shot at doing real well,” Williams said. “I think the girls are going to have a chance to win every one of them, be in every one of them.”

Ramona will have a Nov. 29 scrimmage at Valhalla before starting the season Dec. 1-3 at the Benson Tournament in Orange County.