What a week it’s been for Southern California water polo! From the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team’s dominant showing against Australia to the drama and resilience on display in the girls’ Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions, fans have been treated to a showcase of skill, grit, and a few surprises along the way.
Let’s start in Irvine, where the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team set the tone for their two-game series against Australia with a resounding 17-9 victory on January 10, 2026. The Americans wasted no time making a statement, jumping out to a 5-1 lead after the first quarter and never letting up. Ryder Dodd was nearly unstoppable, racking up five goals to lead all scorers, while Marko Vavic chipped in three of his own. In goal, Adrian Weinberg was a wall, tallying 13 saves to keep the Australians at bay.
Team USA’s offensive onslaught was evident from the start. Dodd and Ryan Ohl opened the scoring, and after Australia answered from five meters, the Americans rattled off three more goals courtesy of Dominic Brown, Vavic, and Dylan Woodhead. The second period saw more of the same, with Vavic’s slick backhand and goals from Dodd and Ben Liechty pushing the lead even further. By halftime, the Americans held a commanding 10-3 advantage, thanks in part to Dodd’s buzzer-beater just before the break.
The third quarter was a clinic in counterattack water polo, with Chase Dodd and Max Irving both finding the back of the net. The Aussies managed a few power-play goals, but Team USA’s depth shone through. Vavic and Bode Brinkema responded quickly, and Peter Castillo capped the period with a wide-open finish, making it 15-5 heading into the final quarter. Australia’s offense sparked briefly in the fourth with three quick goals, but the Americans never looked threatened, as Ryder Dodd tallied once more to seal the 17-9 win.
Looking at the numbers, Team USA converted five of their eleven 6-on-5 opportunities, while Australia managed three out of ten. Both teams had their chances at the penalty line, with the U.S. converting their only attempt and Australia going one for three. Weinberg’s 13 saves were complemented by three more from backup C. Mills, while Australia’s N. Porter stopped five shots. The two teams are set to clash again at Mt. San Antonio College, and fans can catch all the action live on Overnght with stats provided by 6-8 Sports. Tickets remain available for those hoping to witness high-level international water polo up close.
Meanwhile, up the coast in Santa Barbara, the girls’ high school scene was nothing short of electric. The Newport Harbor High School girls’ water polo team rebounded from a tough semifinal loss to claim third place at the prestigious Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions. The Sailors, now boasting a 16-3 season record, fell to Oaks Christian 10-7 in the semifinals before bouncing back to defeat Orange Lutheran 14-11 in a spirited third-place match.
“No one is undefeated. It’s super-exciting. It feels like the door is wide open,” said Newport Harbor sophomore Addie Ting, capturing the sense of opportunity among the top teams. Indeed, Mater Dei, Oaks Christian, Newport Harbor, and Orange Lutheran have all established themselves as the cream of the crop, with each squad advancing to the semifinals of both the Bill Barnett Holiday Cup and the Santa Barbara TOC this season.
In the third-place showdown, junior Valery Verdugo was the star, putting up four goals—three of which came on penalty shots. Her senior sister, Sophia Verdugo, added two goals, while junior center Gabby Alexson and junior attacker Emerson Mulvey, both named to the all-tournament team, combined for five goals. Senior goalkeeper Sunny Brown chipped in with seven crucial saves to help secure the win. The Sailors showed resilience, rallying from a two-goal deficit and holding their nerve when it mattered most. “This was definitely a game we wanted to win,” Alexson noted. “I think when we were down, we really kept calm. Unlike [the semifinal] game when we kind of broke down, I think we actually came together and made better decisions when we were down.”
The semifinal against Oaks Christian saw Newport Harbor lead 5-3 at halftime, but they struggled offensively in the second half, scoring just twice. The Lions’ zone defense stifled Alexson, who was held scoreless, and Oaks Christian capitalized on six of their thirteen power-play chances. “We gave up nine exclusions away from the ball, which are unnecessary,” admitted Sailors coach Ross Sinclair. “We just put too much pressure on our five-man [defense]. Eventually, you give them 13 chances, they’re going to put away a few, and they put away a lot in the second half. We’ve got to get back and fix some of those things up.”
Newport Harbor’s journey to third place included a 15-8 quarterfinal win over JSerra, where Ting had three goals and three assists, and a 12-2 rout of Los Alamitos in the opening round. Olivia Bryant, Madison Mack, Kennedy Fahey, Mulvey, and Lily Tomalas all contributed in the scoring department. Bryant, a rising sophomore defender, credited the team’s defensive commitment: “It’s really all about committing to the press. Then we also have to know when we need to fall back and help. The right time to do that is really important.”
Elsewhere in the tournament, Corona del Mar bounced back from a heartbreaking overtime loss to JSerra in the opening round to secure ninth place. Coach Marc Hunt praised his team’s resilience: “We did what we should have done … It’s good that we’re seeing some positive out of this weekend after getting a tough loss that first game.” Emma Armen, Grace Henderson, and Camryn Spruill led the way in the ninth-place match, combining for nine goals in a 14-7 win over Dos Pueblos. Henderson had a standout tournament, including five goals in a 19-8 win over Los Alamitos.
Laguna Beach and Aguora also made their mark, with Laguna Beach finishing the tournament with a 3-2 record. Senior Brooke Schneider’s four-goal performance highlighted their campaign, and the Breakers showed plenty of promise for the remainder of the season.
Looking ahead, Newport Harbor will host the Newport Invitational in two weeks—another chance for the region’s top teams to test themselves as the postseason looms. For Team USA, the focus shifts to closing out their series against Australia, with fans eager to see if Ryder Dodd and company can replicate their dominant form.
From international showdowns to high school rivalries, Southern California water polo is thriving. The energy, competition, and storylines just keep building—and with so much still to play for, the excitement isn’t letting up anytime soon.
