GIRLS’ WATER POLO PREVIEW:Eagles again aim for postseason play

Estancia girls’ water polo coach Bob Bandaruk called last year, which saw his team go 14-10, probably the best year in Eagles history. Estancia reached the CIF Southern Section Division VI playoffs for the first time in school history.

Many of the top players are back with a year more experience, leaving the sixth-year coach very optimistic about this year, which finds the Eagles bumped up to Division II.

“Last year was kind of tough because we didn’t have our own pool,” Bandaruk said. “But as far as production, I think we can replace the production of the seniors we lost.”

The Eagles’ pool, which was being refurbished last winter, is now open for business. Bandaruk said that makes a world of difference for the team, now 7-2, after a 13-8 win over Rancho Alamitos Tuesday.

“It’s great — night and day,” he said. “For them to walk out of class and be right at the pool, it’s great. We have about 25 players this year between varsity and JV. Last year, we had about 15 total.”

Melissa Buchmann, who led the Eagles with 70 goals last year and was a Newport-Mesa Dream Team honoree, is back for her senior season. She was off to another fast start, scoring 18 goals in Estancia’s first three games this year.

“I have a feeling she’ll score about 100 goals this year,” Bandaruk said.

Meagan Kunert and Shea Kopp, both juniors, are also able scorers. They’ll help replace senior Carolina Barnes, who scored 60 goals last year for the Eagles.

Kunert scored 23 goals last season despite missing half of it with a shoulder injury.

“She’ll probably be my second-leading scorer,” Bandaruk said.

Other seniors who are returning varsity players include Jackie Johnston, Hiranya Keenawinna, Chelsea Leon and Shannon Parsons.

Playing goalie will be sophomore Emily Kaplan, replacing Katie Mahan, who is currently at Orange Coast College. Fellow sophomore Amber Peters will also contribute.

Joining Estancia in the Orange Coast League will be Costa Mesa, Sage Hill and powerhouse Laguna Beach, ranked No. 4 in CIF Southern Section Division II in a preseason poll.

To get to the Division II playoffs, the Eagles will likely have to finish ahead of both Costa Mesa and Sage Hill.

“It’s a lot tougher than before,” Bandaruk said. “I don’t think there’s any weakness in this league. We’ve got to beat Sage twice and Mesa twice. Or, who knows, we might knock each other out with a loss.”

Estancia will play host to Bolsa Grande today at 3:15 p.m.