Girls water polo: Murphy, Ball, named to All-American team

Joseph Boo

NEWPORT BEACH - Newport Harbor High girls water polo standouts

Jenna Murphy and Jessica Ball received high honors when they were named

to the 2000 United States National Junior Olympics All-American teams.

Murphy, a sophomore at Newport Harbor, was named to the 16-and-under

All-American team. She was the top scorer in Newport A, which placed

seventh in the Junior Olympics after a grueling 5-4 four-overtime loss to

Davis.

Murphy is one of three returning starters on Newport Harbor’s varsity

team, along with Katherine Belden and goalie Heather Deyden.

“She’ll have a much bigger role this year,” Newport Harbor coach Brian

Kreutzkamp said.

Ball was named to the 14-and-under All-American team. The top scorer

on Newport A, her coach Greg Boyer considers Ball as one of the top

freshman in the area. She is now a freshman at Newport Harbor. The

14-and-under Newport A team also placed seventh in the Junior Olympics.

“She’s very energetic,” Boyer said. “She never stops. She’s an

Energizer Bunny type.”

Ball’s teammate on Newport A’s 14-and-under team Katie Erickson

received honorable mention. Vivian Liao of Corona del Mar also received

honorable mention on the 14-and-under team.