GIRLS WATER POLO

PRESEASON TOP 10

1 Irvine: Team to beat in Sea View and Division I.

2 Villa Park: Deep and loaded with scorers.

3 Capistrano Valley: Two Stachowskis equal lots of victories.

4 Marina: Division I champions return four starters.

5 Newport Harbor: Influx of talented freshmen.

6 Rosary: Div. III champions lost only one starter.

7 El Toro: Sea View League will be a battlefield.

8 Foothill: Everyone back from solid Knight squad.

9 Los Alamitos: Rebuilding means reloading for Griffins.

10 University: A better team for Division III finalist.

Players to Watch

* Shannon Buckner, Villa Park, Sr.

* Cara Chlebicki, Marina, So.

* Natalie Golda, Rosary, Jr.

* Julie Henn, Rosary, Sr.

* Amy Hilts, University, Sr.

* Neisha Hoagland, Cypress, Jr.

* Nicole Huszcz, Irvine, Sr.

* Erin Kennedy, Newport Harbor, Sr.

* Jamie Kroeze, Santa Margarita, Jr.

* Erin Lezak, Irvine, Sr.

* Stephanie Lombardo, Costa Mesa, Sr.

* Kristin Miller, El Toro, Sr.

* Jackie Pirro, Foothill, Jr.

* Kristyn Pulver, Villa Park, Jr.

* Ashley Stachowski, Capistrano Valley, Sr.

* Kim Steele, Esperanza, Sr.

League Favorites

Century: Villa Park; Empire: Katella; Golden West: Rosary; Orange: Magnolia; Pacific Coast: University; Sea View: Irvine; South Coast: Capistrano Valley; Sunset: Marina.

Key Dates

Feb. 4-6, Southern California Championships at Irvine High; Dec. 10-12, Villa Park tournament; Jan. 7-9, Newport Harbor tournament; Feb. 18-25, Southern Section playoffs; March 1, Southern Section finals.

1997 Final Poll

1. Marina; 2. Los Alamitos; 3. Capistrano Valley; 4. Newport Harbor; 5. Irvine; 6. Rosary; 7. El Toro; 8. Villa Park; 9. Canyon; 10. Fountain Valley.

Notes

Southern Section Division III, composed of 10 leagues last season, has been split into two five-league divisions. The Empire, Golden West, Orange and Pacific Coast Leagues are Orange County leagues that join the Ocean League in the new Division IV. . . . Ke’Ala Carter is a freshman transfer from Hawaii who should make an impact for El Toro. . . . Xina Gleasen is a junior transfer from Dana Hills who adds depth to Capistrano Valley. . . . No. 4 Marina, defending Division I champion, pulled off the first upset of the season last Tuesday, defeating No. 3 Capistrano Valley, 9-7. . . . Bell Gardens, which coaches consider the top team in the state, plays in Division III, but is considering a petition to move to Division I for the playoffs.