Experienced Portola boys water polo team wants another shot at CIF championship

Noam Garibi was Portola’s leading scorer last season. (Photos courtesy Portola water polo).

Portola High School’s boys water polo team, coached by Kate Avery, has some lofty goals for the season coming off the best year in school history.

“Our goals for this season are to win PCL again and win CIF Division 2,” Avery said. “We return almost everyone from last year so our team is motivated to be successful this year knowing we have a lot of talent.”

Portola won the Pacific Coast League title for the first time in school history and advanced into the CIF Division 3 finals, losing to Damien 18-11.

To see additional photos, click on the first photo:

Luke Porter takes a shot for Portola.

Ryder Tonkovich applies defensive pressure for Portola.

“Being moved up to D2 this year will be a challenge for us, but we’re ready to rise to the occasion and we want to come back to the CIF finals and this time come back with a champions plaque,” Avery said.

The Bulldogs will be looking for big seasons from senior Noam Garibi (97 goals last season) and junior Ryder Tonkovich (80 goals).

The two were Portola’s co-MVPs last year.

“Every offensive play was run through both of them, and we wouldn’t have seen success without them both,” Avery said.

Portola is also looking for a big season from junior Luke Porter.

RELATED

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com