Girls' polo ready for encore performance

Though they lost eight seniors, coach Richard Taylor hopes his Porterville girls’ water polo squad returns enough of the old guard to hold fort while the 10 new faces catch up to speed.

That’s quite a following act considering the 2008 Panthers scorched the EYL (12-0), the overall schedule (27-2) and the playoffs (2-1) before getting cooled off in the Division II championship game against El Diamante.

“I’ve got an overall inexperienced team because most of them have never played varsity,” said Taylor, who enters his 19th season coaching Porterville. “But I do have some very good players with experience, so we’re hoping they’ll shoulder the load and by mid-season (the others) will be ready to step up.”

Cori Ann Snyder leads the five returners, including Kyla Hill and Jenna Morris, Raven Kapphahn and Caitlyn Hill. Those five are expected to start along with star JV transplants Linna Lasure and Kassidy Lane at the wing spots.

“That’s the starting lineup as of today, but that could change every week,” Taylor said.

Morris and Kyla Hill keep their starting roles as drivers from last season, but Kapphahn fills in for EYL first-team goalkeeper Megan Harrison while Caitlyn Hill steps in at guard.

“Raven’s improving all the time and she’s got a long way to go, but she’s our No. 1 option,” said Taylor, who has Hailey Kavern ready as the backup.

Kavern and Morris each have younger sisters — Marnie and Matlyn, respectively — coming off the bench along with Abby Peltzer (younger sister of Panther boys water polo star Luke Peltzer), Hailey Newkirk, Ariel Torres and Shelbey Jackson — a newcomer who hasn’t played water polo until this year.

In all, six seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and four freshmen will be asked to pick up the slack.

“It’s a big leap (to varsity),” Taylor said. “They all have potential. It’s just that ‘potential’ and ‘doing it’ are two different things.”

All eyes, however, will be on the gaping hole left by EYL MVP and All-American Kimber Methvin, who heads to San Jose State. The mantle falls on Snyder’s broad shoulders to help account for the loss of Methvin’s 140 goals.

And Taylor thinks Snyder is the one to do it — target on the back and all.

“I’d say it’s an honor,” Snyder said of becoming the “go-to” scorer, “but it’s also kind of a bad feeling because they’ll be keeping an eye on you and you can’t sneak up on anyone like last year.”

As hole guard last year, Snyder worked with Methvin up close and personal to pick up the tricks of her trade. The senior, who will also anchor the returners for the girls’ basketball team this winter, lifted weights all summer to get in hole set shape.

“Kimber prepared me a lot for water polo last year, just playing against her,” Snyder said. “She taught me a lot about setting as well as guarding, so I kind of know what to expect at the higher level. She used a lot of her body and taught me how to be stronger; I used to try and go around people because I’m long.

“Everyone was dependant on (Methvin) and now it’s my role,” she added. “Everyone will be looking for me to score. I’m excited, but it’ll be difficult.”

Snyder is well on her way to reaching Methvin’s status after earning Academic All-American honors by the USA Water Polo organization for maintaining a 4.0-plus GPA while demonstrating outstanding skills in the sport. Snyder was one of a half dozen in the Valley to receive the distinction.

Competing against girls headed to UCLA, USC and Stanford, Snyder saw action this summer playing for the Junior Olympic team and received tutorial from Clovis West’s water polo coach, who works with the Olympic Development Program.

Though she feels ready to lead the team, Snyder knows she won’t have to do it alone.

“I’m really impressed with our team,” she said. “We lost a lot of key players, so the girls that’ve come up — especially the freshmen — have really proved themselves. We’ve had the best work ethic and we have a lot of potential.”

Post Methvin

Team hopes depth can replace superstar

2008 Record: 12-0, EYL Champs

Playoffs: Lost 6-4 to El Diamante in D-II finals

Top Returners: Sr. Cori Ann Snyder, sr. Kyla Hill, sr. Jenna Morris, jr. Caitlyn Hill, sr. Raven Kapphahn

Departures: Kimber Methvin, Megan Harrison, Ally Whiteman, Hannah Risvold

Newcomers: Linna Lasure, Kassidy Lane, Hailey Kavern, Marnie Kavern, Matlyn Morris

Breakout Player: Cori Ann Snyder