CIF semifinal loss to Valhalla ends girls water polo season

By Joe Naiman

Every girls water polo team in Division II for CIF playoff purposes, other than Ramona High School, entered the 2013-14 season with the objective of keeping the Bulldogs from repeating their 2012-13 CIF championship. In the CIF semifinal match Feb. 25, Valhalla attained that accomplishment.

The Norsemen advanced to the Feb. 28 finals with a 9-3 victory over Ramona. Valhalla then became the 2013-14 CIF champions by defeating Westview.

“They were a good tough team,” coach Donnie Williams said of Valhalla.

Ramona entered the CIF playoffs as the Division II fourth seed. The Norsemen earned the No. 1 seed.

“Valhalla’s been the dominant team in D2 all year long as far as beating everyone in the division,” Williams said.

The Bulldogs and Norsemen received first-round byes and both won their CIF quarterfinal matches. In the semifinal Valhalla scored both first-period goals and had a 4-1 halftime lead.

“We weren’t out of it by any stretch,” Williams said. “We worked really hard early in the game.”

Valhalla eventually wore down the Ramona players.

“Then we kind of ran out of gas,” Williams said.

Ramona finished the season with a 19-10 record, including the CIF quarterfinal win over Steele Canyon and the semifinal loss to Valhalla. The Bulldogs were undefeated in four Valley League matches and repeated their league championship.

“It was a good season for the girls,” said Williams.