Sea Kings in search of identity

Steve Virgen

The goals and expectations have changed at Corona del Mar High, where

girls water polo has been quite successful the past two years.

The Sea Kings are in search of an identity this season. They are

no longer known for or defined by a certain quartet that was key in

leading CdM to two CIF Southern Section titles in Division IV and II.

However, this season’s squad plans to build off that success with the

hopes of continuing to establish tradition.

Seniors Katya Eadington, Amy Strack and Vivian Liao figure to be

among the leaders for the Sea Kings, who look to start anew without

that quartet, which included Christina Hewko, Danielle Carlson,

Danielle DiGiacomo and Brittney Bowlus. Hewko, who earned CIF Player

of the Year honors in her final two final seasons, is playing at

Stanford. Bowlus is competing for UCLA. Carlson, along with Jessica

Harkins, another key senior from last year, is at Princeton, and

DiGiacomo will be suiting up for UC Berkeley.

“We’re trying to establish an identity right now,” said CdM Coach

Aaron Chaney, who is in his third year with the Sea Kings. “I think

the identity has been about the seniors who graduated. They were the

identity and now we’re trying to establish our own.”

Chaney guided the Sea Kings to a 50-12 record and the two CIF

titles over the past two years, gaining Coach of the Year honors in

both seasons. Now he wants this season’s squad to keep it going.

“We have a new team, but they learned a lot this summer,” Chaney

said. “I expect them to continue the tradition that has been

established here.

“I don’t think they know what they can do yet because they haven’t

had the opportunity yet,” the CdM coach continued. “They have to

carry larger responsibilities and larger roles. I think they can do

it. I’m not sure if they know they can yet.”

Along with Eadington, Strack and Liao, the Sea Kings will also

feature junior goalie Brittany Fullen and junior two-meter player

Jordan Anae.

“She had a really good summer,” Chaney said of Anae. “She’s one of

our most improved players. She really stepped it up this summer.”

In addition, Hewko’s younger sister, Camille, a sophomore driver,

also adds her skills to CdM’s talented roster, that includes seniors

Tracy Kubas and Natalie Wayte, as well as Tracy’s younger sister,

Katie, a junior, and fellow juniors Lauren McAdams and Katie

Lemmerman. Sophomores Chelsea Lyman and Ashley Chandler, along with

senior goalie Kelsey McCormick plan to contribute to the Sea Kings’

quest of winning a fifth straight Pacific Coast League championship.

Eadington and Liao have the most experience on the squad, as they

were key role players on last year’s team, that was also bolstered by

Fullen’s skills in the cage.

“I think the whole team has improved,” Chaney said. “I feel a lot

more confident now than I did prior to the summer. The girls really

improved. Now they have to learn to play with confidence. I believe

in them and they now they have to believe in themselves.”

Chaney said they will receive plenty of tests because of Corona’s

challenging schedule, which includes Foothill, Long Beach Wilson and

Back Bay rival Newport Harbor. The Sea Kings, who will also compete

in the top tournaments, defeated Arlington, 9-7, in the season opener

Wednesday.