Encinal's water polo team has sacrificed life and limb this seasons. Juggling difficult problems and trying to make the best of a bad situation: transporting players to games, practicing in a rundown pool, and not being able to practice at all, period. This season the team has competed vigorously against other schools, but nearing the end of the season and with championships in sight, the pool closure couldn't have come at a more inconvenient time.

Many felt that the outcome of this season would have been more satisfying if not for the pool closures. "We could have done better if we had a pool to practice in. Two weeks without a pool can have a devastating effect towards any aquatic team," said Coach Kyle Baldi.

In spite of these events this season proved to be a decent one. Men's Junior Varsity only lost twice during the whole season. Both varsity men and women played astonishingly well despite tip-tail odds. Matt Pula, a varsity player recapped the season with his own words: "We definitely had our ups and downs through the closing of the pools and constant practice issues, if I may, I feel we played pretty well," Pula said.

Overall this season has been a challenging one, one that has tested the team's resolve in facing obstacles and dealing with troublesome situations and although not taking the title as ACCAL champions.

Encinal junior varsity, and varsity men and women all defeated several opponents and played admirably. Timothy Ma plays for the EHS water polo team and is an Alameda Sun intern.