After facing off against crosstown rival Gunn, the boys water polo teams ended its games against Gunn on a high note, with junior varsity (JV) winning 4-3, and varsity 10-9, making them determined to persevere through the rest of their seasons.

Junior driver and varsity player Zach Phillips said the importance of the Paly-Gunn game cannot be overstated.

“It was an intense game,” Phillips said. “The game was the first morale-booster of the season.”

According to Phillips, many strong players left the team since last year, the majority of them being seniors; this resulted in the increased focus of teambuilding with the new players.

“But we’re determined to not let that affect our current season. We worked really hard during ‘hell week’ and started to pull the team together as a whole.”

Zach Phillips

The JV and varsity teams were both defeated in leagues and varsity was defeated in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League by Gunn the previous season.

The season started off with some rough spots with the team’s first game ending in a defeat against Serra High School, but according to Phillips, as the varsity boys progressed, they adjusted and improved group dynamics.

“We started a little slow, with a loss to Los Gatos and Los Altos, but we pulled a great victory against Monta Vista, and then Gunn, at their pool,”

Phillips said. The team lost 8-7 in the game against Los Gatos High School, but Phillips said they intend to maintain confidence and team cooperation throughout the rest of their season.

He also says that team cooperation is a major subject at the team practices.

“We constantly work on cooperative movement and talking,” Phillips said. “[That] opens up opportunities for everyone to score.”

The varsity and JV teams are about halfway through their seasons, and according to Phillips, things are only looking up for them.

“Our communication and cooperation skills are only getting better, and everyone is really honing in their skills.”

Zach Phillips

JV also beat Gunn 4-3 after losing to Los Gatos with a score of 4-2. JV started their season with a win against the Monta Vista High School team (12-1) on Sept. 5, and now JV, and varsity are preparing for their next game against the Los Gatos team on Oct. 3.