Girls water polo: Tars, CdM in polo postseason

CERRITOS - Newport Harbor High opens defense of its CIF Southern

Section Division I championship, while Corona del Mar makes its

postseason debut when the girls water polo playoffs begin this week.

CdM (15-11), which shared the Pacific Coast League championship with

University and Laguna Beach, hosts Katella Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. in a

Division IV wild-card game.

The Sailors, whose second-place Sea View League finish ended a two-year

stranglehold on the title, visit Capistrano Valley in the first round

Saturday at 11 a.m. at Saddleback College.

The Sailors (20-7) have split against the Cougars this season, including

an 9-4 setback in their latest meeting, Jan. 21.

Should Harbor get past Capo Valley, it would likely take on top-seeded

Esperanza in the Feb. 22 quarterfinals. The Tars defeated Esperanza in

their only meeting this season.

If CdM wins Wednesday, it would advance to Saturday’s first round at

Orange League champion Brea Olinda.

-- by Barry Faulkner