SPORTS
By Matt Szabo | December 26, 2013
To say that Luca Cupido provided memorable moments this year for the Newport Harbor High boys' water polo team would be a bit of an understatement. Cupido, a senior transfer from Italy, always seemed to be turning heads on the Sailors' pool deck. Two plays specifically come to mind. There was the penalty shot lob of Mater Dei's 6-foot-8 senior goalkeeper McQuin Baron in the final of the South Coast Tournament. And there was the backhand shot from mid-tank that went in at the buzzer, accentuating the Sailors' 13-7 win over Huntington Beach in a battle for first place in the Sunset League.
SPORTS
By Matt Szabo | December 11, 2013
SANTA ANA - Kaleigh Gilchrist is about seven months removed from winning the top prize in college women's water polo. Last May, the Newport Harbor High alumna helped USC win the NCAA Division 1 title. But now, Gilchrist is playing at an even higher level. Last weekend she played in her first tournament with the U.S. senior women's national team, and Team USA won gold at the Canada Cup. This week Gilchrist, a senior at USC, is continuing play with the senior national team at the Holiday Cup at Foothill High.
SPORTS
December 9, 2013
The United States women's water polo senior national team won gold over the weekend at the Canada Cup tournament in Gatineau, Canada. The team, which featured Newport Harbor High alumna Kaleigh Gilchrist, UC Irvine redshirt junior Danielle Warde and Corona del Mar High sophomore Maddie Musselman, earned a 12-10 shootout victory over Australia in the title game Sunday. Gilchrist scored twice in the title game for Team USA, which rallied from an 8-4 deficit late in the third quarter.
SPORTS
December 6, 2013
The United States women's senior national water polo team, featuring Newport Harbor High alumna Kaleigh Gilchrist, Corona del Mar sophomore Maddie Musselman and UC Irvine redshirt junior Danielle Warde, is 1-2 after its first three matches at the Canada Cup in Gatineau, Canada. Team USA fell to Australia, 10-8, in its most recent game Thursday. Gilchrist, a senior at USC, scored three goals in the loss. Musselman drew a penalty shot, had a field block and a steal. Earlier in the tournament, Musselman had her first career senior national team goal in another loss to Australia.
SPORTS
By Matt Szabo | October 4, 2013
The key chain isn't really gaudy. It simply says "Team USA," but Corona del Mar High junior Hayley Hodson smiles when it's brought up. Those two words encompass many of Hodson's hopes and dreams. They are most likely part of her past, present and future. In this way, the key chain is more than just an inanimate object for Hodson, who is one of the best high school outside hitters in the country. "I think I got it at the Olympic training center," she said. "I think I also have a 'London 2012' one sitting around at home.
SPORTS
By Matt Szabo | August 31, 2013
Four Newport Beach girls' water polo players went to Argentina this week to compete in the UANA Youth Pan American Championships. In terms of experience, the "youth" part certainly rang true. For three of them, it was their first international water polo tournament, first time representing their country on the world stage. Yet Mater Dei High incoming senior Brianna Daboub, Corona del Mar incoming sophomore Maddie Musselman and Newport Harbor incoming juniors Rachel Whitelegge and Carlee Kapana all rose to the challenge in the end. As a result, they got an experience on Saturday that they'll never forget.
SPORTS
August 30, 2013
The United States Women's Youth National water polo team, featuring four Newport Beach players, will play for gold at the UANA Youth Pan American Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Team USA breezed past Puerto Rico, 22-4, in a tournament semifinal Friday. Mater Dei incoming senior Brianna Daboub scored twice, and CdM incoming sophomore Maddie Musselman and Newport Harbor incoming junior Rachel Whitelegge scored one goal each. Carlee Kapana, another Sailors incoming junior, split time in goal and made five saves, helping Team USA improve to 6-0 in the tournament.
SPORTS
August 28, 2013
Corona del Mar High incoming sophomore Maddie Musselman and Newport Harbor incoming junior Rachel Whitelegge each scored twice Wednesday, helping the United States Women's Youth National water polo team defeat Brazil, 11-6, at the UANA Youth Pan American Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Carlee Kapana, another incoming junior at Harbor, went the distance in goal for Team USA. The United States team improved to 4-0 at the tournament. The squad also features Newport Beach resident Brianna Daboub, who is an incoming senior at Mater Dei. Musselman, who is the second-youngest player on the team, has tallied nine goals in the tournament.
SPORTS
August 27, 2013
Four Newport Beach girls' water polo players all contributed as the United States Women's Youth National Team defeated Canada, 9-7, on Tuesday at the UANA Youth Pan American Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Incoming Corona del Mar High sophomore Maddie Musselman and incoming Newport Harbor High junior Rachel Whitelegge each scored in the second half, with Musselman's goal being the eventual game-winner. Newport Beach resident Brianna Daboub, who will be a senior at Mater Dei, also scored on a penalty shot, and incoming Newport Harbor junior goalie Carlee Kapana made 14 saves.
SPORTS
August 21, 2013
Former UC Irvine All-American Dan McDonnell had a match-high three aces to help the United States men's volleyball team earn a 25-14, 25-10, 25-20 victory over Trinidad and Tobego in the second round of pool play late Tuesday at the Pan American Cup in Mexico City. McDonnell's serving helped the Americans post a 10-2 advantage in aces. McDonnell, a member of the Anteaterrs' 2012 NCAA championship team, started at middle blocker for Team USA. Other starters included Michael Brinkley, who will be a junior libero at UCI in the fall, and setter Ryan Ammerman, a member of the 2009 NCAA champion Anteaters.