High School Girls’ Water Polo Preview:

Key newcomers: Erin Reid (Sr.), Nina McCall (Jr.), Amanda Simons (Sr.), Elizabeth Wheeler (Sr.), Kimmy Morrison (Sr.), Mia Butera (Jr.), Adrienne Taylor (Sr.).

Key dates: home vs. Corona del Mar, Dec. 21; at Newport/CdM Holiday Cup Tournament, Dec. 28-29; home vs. Montebello, Jan. 5; at Santa Barbara Tournament, Jan. 11-12; home vs. Los Alamitos, Jan. 16; at Irvine SoCal Invitational, Jan. 31-Feb. 2.

Outlook: The Sailors appear to be the team to beat in Division I, especially after beating defending CIF champion Foothill, 5-2, on Dec. 11. The two teams have dominated the division since 1999, with the Knights winning CIF six titles and Newport three.

Newport Harbor has a force in two meters with Stanford-bound Bury, who will replace Newport-Mesa Player of the Year Sarah Roberts, now at Michigan. Barnett said Newport Harbor will also rotate in a number of other players to the position, including McCall, Kate Klippert, Kaleigh Gilchrist, Kimmy Morrison and Robinson.

The Sailors also have an experienced goalie in Vickers and a powerful left-hander in Robinson, headed to Cal. Reid, a transfer from Laguna Beach, is also a lefty, and Barnett called Rosary transfer McCall “very offensive-minded.”

Seniors Amanda Simons and Elizabeth “Curly” Wheeler are strong defenders, and Morrison has one of the hardest shots on the team. Sophomores Klippert and Gilchrist also have all-around games, and should play large roles on the otherwise-senior-dominated team

“A lot of girls have a lot of talent,” Barnett said. “This team has a lot of depth.”

SAGE HILL

Coach: Tom Norton (second year)

2006 record: 13-7, third in Orange Coast League; lost second-place playoff game to Costa Mesa.

Returning starters: Dylan Conroy (Jr.), Sarah Wesley (Sr.), Cameron Cline (Jr.), Jordan Smith-Newman (Jr.), Kelly Carpenter (Jr.), Nancy Benner (Jr.).

Key newcomers: Madison Swayne (Fr.), Lyric Clubb (Jr.).

Key dates: vs. Costa Mesa, Jan. 16 at CdM; at Estancia, Jan. 30; vs. Laguna Beach, Feb. 6 at CdM.

Outlook: Every starter but one returns from last season (Anna Carpenter graduated). Wesley, the only senior, is a key driver.

Conroy, a returning All-Newport Mesa honoree, had 77 steals and 45 goals last year. She, along with goalie Smith-Newman, are three-year varsity starters.

Swayne has club experience and will step into a starting spot, Norton said.

Depth may be a problem with just one bench player, which has led to two forfeits already.

“I think we have a good chance of getting second in league behind Laguna Beach,” said Norton, who has done it with Sage Hill’s boys two years running. “That’s obviously what we’re working toward.”

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or at matthew.szabo@latimes.com.