An inexperienced Lyons Township High School girls water polo team improved last season all the way to another third-place trophy at the state meet.
What that now seasoned group would like to experience this season is the program’s second trip to the state championship match since their one state title in 2010.
“The athletes have come with a strong sense of determination to build on last year’s success,” LTHS coach Megan Jacobs responded.
“We have more girls than ever working hard in the off-season to improve their skills and the younger players are really stepping up, knowing they’re part of a team that’s proven it can compete at a high level. We have a long way to go to get back to the level we were playing at the end of last season, but I am confident we will get there.”
Seniors Maya Mladjan and Delaney Judkins and junior Bella Recker, whom all received 2024 all-state honors, are returning starters along with juniors Bebe Wright and Avery Watanabe.
Mladjan will play at the University of Michigan. Goalie Judkins will play at McKendree in downstate Lebanon.
Other varsity returnees are senior Sarsha O’Sullivan and juniors Rose Frank and goalie Caroline Robb. Freshman Maddie Wieczorkiewicz leads newcomers along with juniors Katie Coyne, Abbey Danaher and Bridget Smolen and sophomores Eileen Cavaliere, Claire Collins and Eve Muscato.
Last season, the Lions were 27-6 after a 9-3 start and equaled their second-highest state finish of 2022. They beat Naperville North 12-7 for third in state after losing to champion Stevenson in the semifinals. LTHS had lost to Naperville North 9-8 in the regular season.
Mladjan led the 2024 Lions with 122 goals and 52 ejections drawn and also had 40 assists and 68 steals. Mladjan was named first-team all-state after being second-team all-state in 2023 and third-team all-state in 2022. The Brookfield resident, who already has amassed 310 goals and 147 assists, will join older sister and former all-stater Emilia on the Michigan roster.
Judkins and Recker were second-team all-state. Judkins (285 saves, .626 save percentage, 17 assists) emerged as one of the area’s top goalies. Recker had a team-high 113 assists and was second in goals (85) along with 39 assists. Wright (30 goals, 22 assists, 73 steals) and Watanabe (15 goals, 23 assists, 26 steals) also were among top contributors.
“Our biggest strengths are our speed and senior leadership. We hope to capitalize on that (speed) with more counterattacks,” Jacobs responded.
“Staying healthy and focused will be key. With only losing three seniors, continuity is a big advantage for us. Maintaining strong team chemistry, keeping our intensity up and staying mentally tough in high-pressure situations will be critical. Our younger players will need to keep gaining experience while the veterans continue leading by example.”