Selma High’s girls varsity team will be celebrating their Senior Night on Monday September 23. Their match will be against Central East. So far, the girls have an overall record of 2-2. Their most recent match was a loss against Dinuba 13-2 .
“I’ve communicated my goals for this season very clearly to the girls, and that is focusing on improvement,” said Coach Machado.
“If they get a little better each game, I’m happy. Growth is winning in my eyes.” said coach Machado.
This year mark’s Machado’s first year as the girls water polo coach. For the past five years, she has been a swim coach.
“The position opened up and I thought it would be a great opportunity to build up the Selma water polo team I once played for. It’s been a huge learning experience for me.” she said.
Coach Machado along with coach Evander assess the areas of growth that they can focus on for each player. They have a co-op approach to coaching. According to Machado, coaching requires a lot of adapting. She has to constantly tailor to the needs of her players.
Additionally, Coach Machado also puts her focus on building the team together. She guides the girls into valuing and relying on each other.
“I really try to emphasize communication and showing up for each other for our team values.” Coach Machado stated. “Water polo is a team sport. No matter how good one player may be, it takes a whole team to be great. I love to hear them communicate and coach each other in the pool during practice and games.”
In such, the coaches have built a strong relationship with the team. This season it has been the foundation for the team’s performances.
“Feeling safe in a team setting shows a lot of respect from both perspectives. My coaches make it very clear that it is okay to ask questions which I think is very important when it comes to playing a sport,” said Fatima Aceves.
Aceves is a senior varsity player. She joined the team last year in hopes of creating new experiences in her athletic and social life. She is flexible when it comes to positions. She can play guard, driver, wing, and goalie.
For the girls, the biggest obstacle has been learning how the team meshes together. Within the past three years, the girls water polo team has had multiple coaches.
“So far the team has shown tons of improvement from our very first scrimmage both as individuals and [when] working together as a team,” said Aceves.
Water polo is a sport that depends on more than just athletic strength. It relies on the outlooks of each player.
“Other than having to be physically fit, water polo players need a lot of mental strength,” Aceves said. “A team will often be faced with conflicts against other players and knowing what is an appropriate reaction to get ahead of the opponent will determine whether or not we do well against the team.”
Additionally, many of the athletes in the team have developed through the sport.
“It changed my high school experience because I met new people who I probably would have never met if it wasn’t for polo,” said senior Destiny Rivera.
Destiny has been involved in the sport since her sophomore year. She mainly plays driver, but she’s capable of playing other positions.
“Throughout my three years of playing, the team has gone up and down. I believe that our team now is good and that we can do good this season,” Rivera said.
Coach Machado also works on helping the girls develop foundational life skills. She prioritizes good use of time management, accountability, and leadership.
“Being a student athlete requires a lot of responsibility. I remind them to prioritize school, but also maintain your role as a member of the team,” said coach Machado.
Moreover, Coach Machado continues to build the team’s motivation and resolve with her continuous feedback. To allow them growth she must indicate and refer to their weaknesses.
“Being able to give the girls individual goals to reach is really important in keeping them motivated. Even our best players can be challenged to become better athletes,” said Coach Machado.
With the team’s season only just beginning, their upcoming games promise excitement. On Thursday September 26, they will have their first league game.
“This year the team is much more competitive within the league. All players have improved so much when it comes to technique as well as stamina which differentiates this year from the last one,” Fatima said.
Overall, the drive to improve continues. The girls’ efforts to win remain, but they are not the most important for the players.
“I always emphasize the importance of effort. Practice makes permanent, not perfect,” Coach Machado added. “The more effort you put into practice, the better the outcome. When you practice and play with your heart, it will show.”
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Girls Water Polo: Striving for Success
Taneisha Martinez, Co-News Editor
October 3, 2024
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