Kunerts’ sister act too tough for Lobos

COSTA MESA — Meagan Kunert got position on her defender near the side of the Estancia High pool.

The Eagles’ senior girls’ water polo player eyed the middle of the pool, where a familiar face awaited the pass.

Freshman Haley Kunert put away the shot at two meters, giving Estancia the lead just more than a minute into its nonleague game with Los Amigos on Thursday.

Los Amigos couldn’t stop one Kunert, nevermind two. The sisters combined for 10 goals as the Estancia trounced Los Amigos, 17-6.

Haley Kunert scored six goals, adding to her team-leading total of 33 for Estancia (5-2). The freshman phenom, who plays club water polo for Huntington Beach Water Polo Club, added six steals and two assists.

“I love playing with my sister,” Haley Kunert said. “Since she has been on the team, I’ve been around and know all the girls. I think they’re comfortable with me. I came in with a good relationship with them and it has grown from there.”

Meagan Kunert, the team’s only senior, had four goals and three steals against Los Amigos (4-4).

Junior Amber Peters was also a main contributor.

Peters, who split time at set with Haley Kunert, scored four goals and added four steals. She said the Eagles offense could have run even more smoothly.

“We’re trying new things out as a team,” Peters said. “We’re working on our counterattack, putting the ball in different positions, and we’re trying to work on plays off of our counterattacks. I don’t think we’re used to everything that’s going on yet, but we’re getting there.”

First-year coach Jennifer Perry couldn’t be too upset about the 17 goals, either. She watched the Eagles jump out to a 5-2 lead after one quarter and cruise from there.

Junior Tyler Andrews had two goals and two steals for Estancia, and freshman Kylie Carpenter (two assists, two steals) also shined.

Michelle Parsons also scored, Emily Kaplan made 10 saves and Upeka Keenawinna played solid defense for the Eagles. Everyone has to contribute, with Estancia typically carrying just an eight-player varsity squad.

“I’m pretty happy with how we’re shaping up,” said Perry, a 28-year-old Costa Mesa resident who teaches advanced placement U.S. government and world history at Estancia. She has also been the assistant boys’ swimming coach for four years.

“We can pretty much put Megan anywhere, and we can put Haley anywhere,” Perry said. Nonleague

Estancia 17, Los Amigos 6

SCORE BY QUARTERS

LA – Nguyen 2, Contreras 2, Espinoza 1, Oropeza 1. Saves – Channarong 4.

Est – H. Kunert 6, M. Kunert 4, Am. Peters 4, Andrews 2, Parsons 1. Saves – Kaplan 10.

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or at [email protected].