2025-26 SoCal Girls' Water Polo Season

High School - Girls
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At the request of several of our colleagues, I’m starting a new thread to discuss the 2025-26 Southern California girls’ high school season.

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Here is the San Diego Union Tribune’s 2025-2026 HS Girls Water Polo Preview

Preview: Bishop’s aims for eighth straight water polo title, but has competition

Preseason Ranking:

  1. The Bishop’s School
  2. Valhalla
  3. Carlsbad
  4. La Jolla
  5. Clairemont
  6. Cathedral Catholic
  7. Helix
  8. Grossmont
  9. Torrey Pines
  10. Westview
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Always kind of disappointing to see the lack of interest in girls.

Anyway, the usual suspects in the CIFSS Open Division. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a rematch in the Finals. Oaks Christian returns nearly the entire roster. Newport is the younger squad this time around, but that’s a VERY talented young squad. Mater Dei and OLu will be right there too, and realistically, any of those four can win it. There’s a lot of daylight between 4 and 5. San Marcos might have the best high school player in the nation, if not the world, but they’re awfully thin after that.

Division I might end up being the more exciting as there’s a whole group outside the top 8 who can probably all beat each other any given game.

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Also keep in mind that Chucky Roth is not returning to San Marcos this year. I assume they have named a new coach by now, but could take some time to get used to possible new system.

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There is actually another thread started for 25-26 Winter season girls HS predictions

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I think that’s for Norcal

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I have moved the posts from the related CIF Southern Section thread to this thread, so we have one main thread for the 2025-26 girls’ water polo season. If folks want to maintain a separate thread for just the Southern Section, please feel free to do so.

From NCWP:

The best (and only) preseason indicator we have is probably to look at the Fall Futures League outcomes for the high school girls. The majority of the teams who participated brought their varsity high school teams to play, rather than dividing up by 16u/18u which was great for competition. That said, several teams had players missing on key weekends for Academy trainings and college visits.

It was a Southern Section sweep for the top 8 spots in the “Fall Fling” tournament to finish the season. The usual suspects of Mater Dei, OLU, Oaks Christian, and Newport look to be dominant again. Wilson, CDM, and Foothill will also be strong and we will see the debut of Ethan Damato’s J Serra squad, who did quite well at Futures. Beckman will have a solid team as well. Who am I forgetting?

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From ASNWP:

Being that the top 4 teams are all bringing back the core of their teams from the 2024/25 season, I expect Mater Dei, Oaks Christian, Newport Harbor, and OLu to battle it it out again. Any of these 4 schools can beat each other on any given day.

Here’s my “way too early” take on a top 10:

  1. Mater Dei
  2. Oaks Christian
  3. Newport Harbor
  4. OLu
  5. San Marcos
  6. JSerra
  7. LB Wilson
  8. CDM
  9. Foothill
  10. Beckman or Dos Pueblos

I think Laguna and Harvard Westlake will make some noise for inclusion in the top 10. I think Marlborough is up-and-coming (very well coached). I know I’m likely missing a school or two but alas, that’s why it’s my “way too early” top 10.

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From H20PoloMoma:

Good list - San Clemente may make a run for that top 10, they have been steadily improving with the return of Logan.

I think the top 4 seem right, all with significant transfers except for Oaks. San Marcos will struggle losing 3 strong starters and still no goalie. Newport has the most depth and with Ross coaching has to be a favorite. OLU may need some time for Seidemann to get settled, but the talent is there. MD may be down a player or two at the beginning of the season, but expect them to be fighting to the end. Oaks will have a target on their backs, but it will be an uphill battle as they have no bench. The 5-10 spots will be a toss up and expect J Serra to make the biggest jump. Exciting season!

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I may have missed a post somewhere. Who ended up taking over as the OLu girls coach following Brenda Villa’s move to Stanford?

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Melissa Seidemann took over.

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Melissa Seidemann named Head Girls Water Polo Coach - Orange Lutheran High School

One of the greatest water polo players of all time.

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Not true Oaks got a transfer Kaelei Lapp-Harvey transferred from Hawaii

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I would argue that Mater Dei has the most talented squad for the 2025-2026 season this year. They are the team to beat.

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I agree. IMHO, Mater Dei has the most talented roster and should be the favorite this year.

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I have heard he (Roth at SM) is coaching this year and it will be his last.

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I would also agree on Mater Dei’s talent - that’s why I have them at #1 on my top 10 list. But I will note MD were likely the most talented team last year too (along with OLu). Mater Dei and Newport also have the deepest rosters in the CIFSS. All that said, I think that any of MD, Oaks, Newport, and OLu can beat each other on any given day. Should make for a great season.

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I see. That makes a lot of sense. Glad he sticks around another year. He is actually fun to watch coach.

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Amazing coach and mentor

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no one goes there anymore its too crowded- yogi berra

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