With Burger playing the best water polo of her career, Newport Harbor enters today's nonleague contest against visiting Palos Verdes with a 13-2 record, 2-0 in the Sunset League, and the No. 2 ranking in CIF Southern Section Division I.
Never was Burger's prowess been on display more than last weekend's Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions, in which she led the Tars to a runner-up finish. She had a career-high 13 saves in the title game, a 6-5 loss to top-ranked Dos Pueblos, despite the absence of senior scoring leader Kaleigh Gilchrist, who left to compete in the International Surfing Assn. World Junior Championships in New Zealand.
Those 13 saves included stopping a five-meter penalty shot.
"She has really been hot lately," Barnett said of Burger, who is finally at home in the glaring spotlight her position commands.
"I think it's maturity and confidence," said Barnett, who provided additional praise for the 5-foot-9 Division I college prospect.
"She's a good athlete who works really hard," said Barnett, who believes Burger's length is another asset.
Burger said she is physically stronger than last season, when she helped Newport Harbor reach the CIF Division I semifinals.
But in addition to her physical improvement, she believes she is better mentally, as well.
"I get in the zone and I just focus on the ball," said Burger, who also contributed to lopsided tournament wins over Riverside Poly, 12-5, Palos Verdes, 14-6, and The Bishop's, 18-4.
Burger's strong play was also a critical factor in a 9-3 league win over Edison on Jan. 13 that helped solidify the Sailors' place atop the league standings.
"Sometimes, after my game, I've been so focused on the game that I don't really remember much from that game."
