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All League Teams Announced

The South Sound Girls Water Polo League has announced the All League Teams for 2011. Six members of the Enumclaw High School Girls Water Polo Team received All League honors for their performances during the 2011 season. All League Teams were selected by a committee of coaches from each division prior to the state tournament. Congratulations to all.

All League East Division:

First Team – Erin Stucker (Enumclaw), Ali Ballard (Enumclaw), Amanda Nuttal (Auburn Mountainview), Amy Scott (Auburn Mountainview), Kate Wallen (Auburn Riverside), Kayla Clarke (Auburn Riverside), Candace Johnson (Auburn).

Second Team – Kelsey Sonneson (Enumclaw), Annie Birklid (Enumclaw), Savannah Mitchell (Auburn Mountainview), Payton Gray (Auburn Riverside), Katie Powlak (Auburn Riverside), Keiko Mizoguchi (Auburn), Mackenzie Knott (Auburn).

Honorable Mention – Hannah Kinniburgh (Enumclaw), Megan Lesmeister (Enumclaw), Brianna Kieswether (Auburn Mountainview), Lauren Perala (Auburn Riverside), Malia Mason (Auburn Riverside), Marissa Rydzewski (Auburn Riverside), Molly Bradbury (Auburn), Liz Patrick (Auburn).

Coach of the Year – Bob Averill (Enumclaw)


All League West Division:

First Team – Lauren Christianson (Curtis), Sarah Berger (Curtis), Molly Berger (Curtis), Sophia Spurlock (Curtis), Lauren Gelinas (Emerald Ridge), Madison Jaramillo (Emerald Ridge), Emma Englund (Puyallup).

Second Team – Hannah Holly (Curtis), Lorianne McMullan (Emerald Ridge), Kaitlyn Tarr (Emerald Ridge), Krystal Henry (Lakes), Monica Gallucci (Puyallup), Jordan Brain (Puyallup), Bethany Zering (Rogers).

Honorable Mention – Olivia Stark (Curtis), Janet Marmol (Curtis), Alli Wiley (Emerald Ridge), Jackie Hedge (Emerald Ridge), Jordin Barbre (Emerald Ridge), Angelica Garza (Lakes), Brynn Fletcher (Puyallup), Becca Harris (Puyallup), Hannah Clark (Puyallup), Haley Knecht (Puyallup), Haley Cooper (Rogers), Crystal Vollmer (Rogers), Katherine Valentine (Rogers).

Coach of the Year – Mike Wallen (Curtis) & Todd Fletcher (Puyallup)


All League Bridge Division:

First Team – Julia Ponce (Gig Harbor), Laura Donaldson (Gig Harbor), Kiera McMenimen (Gig Harbor), Rachel Linden (Wilson), Victoria Turnbull (Wilson), Kayla Price (Mt. Tahoma), Nicole Doyle (Mt. Tahoma), Lizzie Menefee (Stadium).

Second Team – Hannah Anderson (Gig Harbor), Melanie Coyne (Gig Harbor), Sarah Stinger (Wilson), Anna Larson (Wilson), Megan Marquardt (Mt. Tahoma), Natalee Morton (Stadium).

Honorable Mention – Morgan Cabe (Gig Harbor), Niki Richards (Gig Harbor), Kenna Uddenberg (Gig Harbor), Nicole Hermoso (Gig Harbor), Sarah Campbell (Gig Harbor), Stephanie Lewis (Mt. Tahoma), Bethany Muranaka (Mt. Tahoma), Abby Wojtanowikz (Stadium), Katie Gale (Stadium), Ricky Lauren (Foss), Sheri Frings (Lincoln), Polly Woodbury (Lincoln), Rosa Jones (Lincoln).

Coach of the Year – Mike Kelly (Gig Harbor)

Enumclaw Finishes Seventh at State


The Enumclaw High School Girls Water Polo Team concluded their 2011 season on Saturday, May 21, with a seventh place finish at the Washington State Water Polo Tournament, by beating Puyallup 8-5 in the consolation round.

The Hornets had lost two games in the earlier rounds at State, losing 9-8 to Wilson on Wednesday, and 3-2 to Auburn Riverside on Friday.

In Saturday's game against Puyallup, the Hornets started their five seniors – Ali Ballard, Alexis Firlotte, Kelsey Sonneson, Erin Stucker, and Alina VanRuff – along with junior center Annie Birklid and freshman goalkeeper Megan Lesmeister, and earned a 4-1 advantage by the end of the opening period.

The Hornet offense slowed a little in the next two quarters, with the Vikings outscoring the Hornets in each period, 2-1, for a 6-5 Enumclaw lead going into the final quarter. The Lady Hornets shut down Puyallup in the final period, and added two goals for good measure, for the final 8-5 score.

Scoring for Enumclaw in the win were four of Enumclaw's five seniors – Ali Ballard and Kelsey Sonneson with two goals, and Erin Stucker and Alexis Firlotte with one – and junior Annie Birklid with two goals.

Hornets Lose Heartbreaker in State Opener


The EHS Girls Water Polo Team opened State tournament play with a heartbreaking loss to the Wilson Rams on Wednesday. Wilson beat the Hornets 9-8 on a last second shot by Victoria Turnbull.

The Hornets dug themselves a hole early, falling behind 3-0 in the first five minutes. Ali Ballard started the Enumclaw scoring on a power play with 26 seconds left in the opening period.

But Enumclaw fought back, outscoring the Rams in the second and third quarters, to pull within one goal at the end of three periods. The two defenses played tough early in the final quarter, but Annie Birklid tied the game at 7-7 with 2:19 left in the game.

Kelsey Sonneson put the Hornets ahead with 57 seconds left, but Wilson tied the game 8-8 on their next possession. Enumclaw missed on their next scoring opportunity, and Wilson's Turbull scored with 21 seconds remaining, for the 9-8 win.

Kelsey Sonneson led the Hornet scoring, with four goals. Erin Stucker added two, and Ali Ballard and Annie Birklid scored one goal each.

The Hornets continue tournament play on Friday, facing Auburn Riverside at 4:45

Stadium & Auburn Riverside Advance to State

Stadium and Auburn Riverside won the final two games of Saturday's Wild Card Tournament at Lakes High School, to claim the final two spots in the Washington State Water Polo Championships, starting next Wednesday, May 18, at Rogers High School, in Puyallup, WA.

Six teams entered the Wild Card Tournament, including Auburn, Auburn Riverside, Emerald Ridge, Mt. Tahoma, Rogers, and Stadium.

Auburn Riverside advanced by beating Rogers 12-4 in the final round of play, and Stadium advanced with an 11-6 win over Mount Tahoma in the final round.

Hornets Rally to Beat Puyallup 14-11

The Enumclaw Girls Water Polo Team rallied to score six goals in the fourth quarter, and beat the Puyallup Vikings 14-11 in the two teams’ last game of the regular season.


Enumclaw scored the first two goals of the game, but Puyallup tied the game at 2-2 with one minute left in the opening quarter. Senior Ali Ballard put the Hornets ahead 3-2 with 39 seconds left in the period.


The Vikings scored three in the second quarter, to take a 5-4 advantage into halftime.


Puyallup scored five in the third period, to increase their lead to 10-8 going into the final quarter.


The Vikings scored in the first minute of the final period, increasing their lead to 11-8. Both teams were scoreless on their next possessions, until Enumclaw went on a scoring spree, scoring three goals in 43 seconds, to tie the game at 11-11 with 4:01 left in the game.


The Hornet defense continued to shut down Puyallup’s offense, holding them scoreless for the last 6:11 of the game, and the Hornets scored another three goals in the final 1:47 to put the game out of reach.


Five Hornets scored in the win, led by Ali Ballard’s five goals, and Erin Stucker’s four. Annie Birklid and Hannah Kinniburgh scored two each, and Katie Larrea scored one.


The Hornets finished their regular season with a 14-6 record, and an 8-2 league record. Enumclaw opens State tournament play on Wednesday, May 18 against the Wilson Rams, at Rogers High School in Puyallup, WA.

State Tournament Bracket

Enumclaw Improves to 13-6

The Enumclaw High School Girls Water Polo Team traveled to Lakewood on Tuesday, and beat the Lakes Lancers 10-4, to improve their regular season record to 13-6.

Ali Ballard led the Hornet scoring, with four goals. Erin Stucker scored three goals, Katie Larrea scored two, and Alina VanRuff scored one.

The Hornets finish their regular season on Thursday with a home game against the Puyallup Vikings. Enumclaw begins State tournament play on Wednesday, May 18 against Wilson.

League Standings Take Shape


The South Sound Girls Water Polo League has announced the league standings heading into the 2011 State Championships. Auburn Mountainview, Enumclaw, Curtis, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, and Wilson have all qualified for the State tournament, held May 18-21 at Rogers High School, in Puyallup, WA.

Auburn Riverside, Auburn, Emerald Ridge, Rogers, Mount Tahoma, and Stadium will compete in a Wild Card tournament on Saturday, May 14, at Lakes High School. The top two teams will advance to the State tournament.

Hornets Lose a Close One to Gig Harbor

Enumclaw's Girls Water Polo Team hosted the defending State champion Gig Harbor Tides on Saturday, and lost a defensive battle to the visitors, 7-5.

Defense was the theme of the game, as both teams were held scoreless for the game's first 4:36, when Gig Harbor's Lora Donaldson scored. Hornet Erin Stucker tied the game on a penalty shot nearly two and a half minutes into the second period. The Tides scored on their next possession, and added another goal on a power play, to take a 3-1 advantage into halftime.

Gig Harbor added two in the third quarter, but Annie Birklid scored for Enumclaw, for a 5-2 Gig Harbor lead going into the final period.

The Tides scored a minute into the period, but the Hornets scratched their way back, scoring three consecutive goals in two and a half minutes, to get within one, 6-5, with 90 seconds left in the game. Enumclaw missed on their next opportunities, and Julia Ponce put the game away for Gig Harbor with her third goal of the game with 30 seconds left.

The Enumclaw squad finishes their regular season next week, with a Tuesday game at Lakes High School, and a home game against Puyallup on Thursday. The Hornets will begin State tournament play the following Wednesday, May 18, at Rogers High School, in Puyallup, WA.

Lady Hornets Beat Rogers, Improve to 12-5

The EHS Girls Water Polo Team beat Rogers 14-4 in a Friday afternoon contest at the Enumclaw Aquatic Center, improving the Hornets' season record to 12-5. The Hornets have an 8-2 league record, and hold second place in the East Division of the South Sound Girls Water Polo League. Enumclaw's squad will compete in their sixth consecutive State tournament, beginning May 18 at Rogers High School, in Puyallup, WA.

Eight Hornets scored in Friday's win, with Annie Birklid and Bella Davenport scoring three goals each. Hannah Kinniburgh and Erin Stucker added two goals each, and Ali Ballard, Alina VanRuff, and Katie Larrea scored one goal each.

The Hornets host the defending State champion Gig Harbor Tides on Saturday at 3:30.

Hornets Finish League 8-2

The Enumclaw Hornets finished their 2011 East Division water polo league games on Thursday with a 23-6 win over the Bonney Lake/Sumner squad. The Hornets finished their league games with an 8-2 league record, and second place in the East Division, behind Auburn Mountainview.

The Hornets still have four non-league contests remaining before continuing to the State Water Polo Tournament held May 18-21 at Rogers High School in Puyallup, WA.

All of the Lady Hornets who suited up in Thursday's game scored. Erin Stucker, Kelsey Sonneson, Annie Birklid, and Allie Larrea led the Hornets' scoring with three goals each. Ali Ballard, Hannah Kinniburgh, Alexis Firlotte, and Katie Larrea added two each, and Logann Erskine, Alina VanRuff, and Megan Lesmeister scored one goal apiece.

Enumclaw hosts Rogers High School on Friday, in a 4:30 contest at the Enumclaw Aquatic Center. On Saturday the State champion Gig Harbor Tides come to town for a 3:30 game against the Hornets.

Enumclaw Beats Peninsula

The Enumclaw High School Girls Water Polo Team traveled to Gig Harbor on Tuesday, and returned with a 16-2 victory over the Peninsula Seahawks.

Enumclaw's Ali Ballard put the Hornets on the scoreboard first, knocking in her first goal 29 seconds into the game. The Hornets scored on nearly every possession in the first quarter, closing out the period with a 7-0 advantage over the Seahawks. Enumclaw's scoring machine slowed in the second quarter, adding only two goals, one each by Allie Larrea and Alina VanRuff.

In the third period the Hornet front court offense went to work, with center Annie Birklid scoring three, and drivers Bella Davenport, and Allie and Katie Larrea scoring one each. In the final period, senior Alexis Firlotte added the lone Hornet goal, and the Seahawks managed two goals on long-range shots.

The Hornets' scoring was led by Ali Ballard and Annie Birklid, with three goals each. Erin Stucker, Alina VanRuff, and Allie Larrea scored two each, and Hannah Kinniburgh, Alexis Firlotte, Katie Larrea, and Bella Davenport added a goal apiece.

The Hornets travel to Sumner on Thursday to take on the winless Bonney Lake/Sumner team, and host Rogers on Friday at the Enumclaw Aquatic Center.