The girls and boys water polo teams played in the CCS championship last weekend. Staff photo: Emilio Simbeck.

By Emilio Simbeck

Both the boys and girls varsity water polo teams made it to the CCS finals in their respective divisions and fell in the championship game on Saturday. The games took place at Independence High School in San Jose, both in front of very large crowds.

The boys team went toe to toe with archrival Sacred Heart Prep in the open division, who they have met in the CCS finals many times before. For the boys, this is the 18th time they have made the finals in 23 years.

Menlo fell behind early, going down 3-1 in the first quarter, and were behind 6-2 at halftime intermissions. Without senior captain and four year varsity player Niko Bhatia, the Knights lacked their usual firepower. With that being said, they still battled back and were able to end the game 8-5.

Senior Miller Geschke led the team offensively with 3 goals scored, and was also a stud on defense, leading the team in steals as well. Sophomore standout Josh Poulos did all he could in goal, totalling 18 saves on the afternoon.

Unlike the boys, the girls team made their first trip to the championship in 11 years. They faced off against Valley Christian, hoping to be crowned the queens of Division II.

Menlo was the three seed in the playoffs, and the Warriors were the 1 seed, so it was a highly anticipated match which everyone knew would feature a lot of talent and prowess. Similar to the boys, the Knights fell behind early, but did their best to claw back into the game. Down 3-1 at half, and then 5-1 early in the third, sophomore Annie Bisconti and senior Sarah Donato led a comeback late in the third quarter, contributing two quick goals to cut the lead.

Unfortunately for the Knights, the Warriors closed the game with two goals of their own, ending the match 7-3. Senior captain Gillian Bressie also had five blocks.