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San Juan Hills’ Eliza Walburger received joyful news Friday moments after a stinging loss for her team in the CIF-SS Division 3 girls water polo quarterfinals.
After the final buzzer sounded on Glendora’s 16-8 victory at San Juan Hills, the record-setting senior learned that she had been accepted at BYU.
“It kind of softened the blow (of the loss) a little bit,” Walburger said.
So did focusing on San Juan Hills’ improvement over the past four seasons under coach Rex Sample.
The Stallions (15-13) rose from struggling in the South Coast League, including an 0-8 record last season, to finish second in the Sea View League this winter behind Aliso Niguel.
And in reaching its first quarterfinal since 2022, San Juan Hills upset top-seeded Crean Lutheran 14-10 in the second round Tuesday.
Walburger, one of five seniors on the San Juan Hills team, scored a school-record 12 goals.
She had four goals and an assist against Glendora (20-11), which faces Chaparral in the semifinals Tuesday.
“We’ve really started from the ground up,” said Walburger, part of a senior class that includes goalie Ruby Hickey, Chloe Nolan, Chelsea Wilson and Gwen Beck. “Our team is awesome. We have no drama and everyone is there to support.”
“Every individual girl, I’ve watched them grow 10 fold,” added Walburger, the daughter of Stanford honorable All-American Andy Walburger (La Serna) and the brother of former San Juan Hills standout Chase Walburger.
Sample credited his team’s improvement to its “family dynamic” and individual skill work in small groups at practice.
“It’s definitely been a big development year,” said Sample, who was assisted by former El Dorado coach Dave Johnson and former El Toro player Lindsay Holbrook. “Learning water polo constantly, as any reps as we could possibly get.”
Glendora used a strong press and a season-high 11 goals from junior Emma Andress, the sister of Fresno State player Hailey Andress.
Andress had five steals and teamed with Riley Grattan (two steals, three field blockls) to slow the Stallions’ attack. “We worked really well together today,” Andress said.
In another Division 3 quarterfinal:
Northwood 6, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks 4: Junior goalie Cassidy McCallon had 11 saves and seniors Georgia Downs and Maddie To each scored twice as the host Timberwolves (18-15) reached the semifinals for the second time in three seasons.
Northwood plays host to San Dimas on Tuesday.
In Division 5:
Laguna Hills 10, Palm Springs 8: Freshman Bella Pollock scored five goals and Madison Lawler made nine saves as the host Hawks (13-5) reached the semifinals for the first time.
Laguna Hills plays at San Bernardino in the semifinals Tuesday. Last season, the Hawks finished 0-15.